2022 NBA Draft: Oklahoma City Thunder select Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga Bulldogs center

Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren is off the board in the 2022 NBA Draft. With the No. 2 pick in the first round, Holmgren was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

A five-star recruit in the Class of 2021, Chet Holmgren only played one season at Gonzaga before declaring for the NBA Draft. It was an eventful season, though. Holmgren led Gonzaga to the number one overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. There, the Bulldogs went to the Sweet Sixteen, before Arkansas eliminated them.

During the season, Holmgren proved he was one of the country’s best players. He would be named WCC Defensive Player of the Year, First-team All-WCC, and WCC All-Freshman, to go along with being a Consensus All-American. He also proved his marketability, signing a NIL deal with Yahoo Sports before the NCAA Tournament.

On the season, Chet Holmgren averaged 14.1 points per game, 9.9 rebounds per game, and 1.9 assists per game. He also shot 60.7% from the field.

Holmgren has been one of the top NBA Draft prospects for the entire process. Jay Bilas listed him as a top-three pick before the lottery even occurred. Others, like CBS Sports and ESPN, released mock drafts that saw Holmgren go second overall in the draft.

When you dive into scouting reports on Chet Holmgren, it’s easy to see why there is so much excitement around him as a prospect.

“His 7-foot-6 wingspan helps him affect and block shots routinely,” writes Kyle Boone of CBS Sports. “Even when he’s not necessarily in perfect defensive position, he can recover with sheer length.”

“On offense he’s an additive force as well, ranking last season in the 99th percentile around the rim and finishing just about every shot attempt within arm’s reach of the bucket. As nearly a 40% 3-point shooter, he can space the floor as a true deep threat and also has some true guard skills as a handler.”

CBS Sports did point out that, due to his slight frame, injuries may be a concern for Holmgren. However, that is theoretical and he could easily build muscle once he gets to the NBA.

There is no such thing as a can’t-miss prospect. However, there is plenty of reason to be excited about Chet Holmgren’s future in the NBA.