Gonzaga Bulldogs: Chet Holmgren welcome to the NBA!
Teresa Powe
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From draft night through Summer League, former Gonzaga Bulldogs star Chet Holmgren handled himself like he’s been an NBA star all along.
Resplendent in black paisley with diamond dice dripping from his neck, former Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Chet Holmgren was a ball player who looked like he had been in the National Basketball Association all along. This young man will be an NBA star for a long time, regardless of what some critics might say.
At Gonzaga, Holmgren averaged 14.1 points. 9.9 rebounds and 3.7 blocks. It was tough for Chet that his NCAA experience ended at the Sweet Sixteen, but he’s in the NBA now, and more incredible things are happening for him.
Draft day 2022
It was most definitely a day he won’t forget. Gonzaga Bulldogs fans won’t forget it either. Chet looked the part. He wasn’t flashy except for the diamond dice – 3 & 4 that he wore around his neck. He explained that his number is seven and there are no number seven dice, so he did the next best thing.
Holmgren sounded confident in his interviews, letting the world know he is a”unique” ball player who bets on himself. He said he felt “a mix of 1,000 emotions, yet I have zero words to explain it.”
“I'm big on betting on myself.” ?
Chet Holmgren explains his Draft night fit!
2022 #NBADraft presented by State Farm: tonight at 8pm/et on ABC & ESPN. pic.twitter.com/d6RvXkqU3y
— NBA (@NBA) June 23, 2022
Summer League
Holmgren’s opening game with the Oklahoma City Thunder against Utah had the Summer League raring to go! He scored 23 points, had 7 rebounds, 6 blocks, 4 assists, and a steal in 24 minutes. We were waiting for the unicorn, and we sure got him!
Holmgren averaged 14.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.8 blocks, and 2.0 steals. In five games, He shot 50 percent from the floor and 42 percent from the three-point range. So, how exciting is his NBA career going to be?
Sure, there will be some rough times ahead, he only weighs 195 pounds, and I have nightmares of him going against Joel Embiid, but if Kevin Durant can do it, so can Chet Holmgren.
Best of luck, young man, and thank you for giving us an incredible year at Gonzaga University.
In a few months, Zags fans will get to meet new faces and new Gonzaga Bulldogs, and I will be introducing them to you very shortly. I just had to give Chet his “flowers,” as they say.
Stay safe and healthy out there.