Gonzaga Bulldogs say goodbye to Chet Holmgren
This is not a sorrowful goodbye because we knew Chet Holmgren would be leaving… Instead, I’m just happy the Gonzaga Bulldogs and their fans got a chance to witness the next great NBA big man.
Make no mistake that Gonzaga Bulldogs center, Chet Holmgren, will be the next great NBA big man. How can I be so sure of that? Because Holmgren is already a basketball star. He has shown what he can and will do. No matter his size. And I covered his season at Gonzaga, for which I will always be proud.
Chet Holmgren – the presumptive #1 pick
Holmgren came to the Gonzaga Bulldogs last year as the number one recruit in the nation. On June 23rd, he will most likely be the number one pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Should he be? Heck yeah, he should be.
❤️🐾🐶 pic.twitter.com/omlY3aZMlc
— chet holmgren (@ChetHolmgren) April 21, 2022
His one-and-done season with the Gonzaga Bulldogs has shown this to be. Even with the Bulldogs’ early exit from the national tournament.
Chet Holmgren is a “unicorn,” an actual unicorn. His 7′ height and 7′ wing span bring an unusual blend of lobbing, blocking, and dunking to the rim—an excellent rim protector. Holmgren shot 60.7% from the field and 39% from three. I loved watching him go from one end of the floor to the other and that three-pointer or dominant dunk at the end. What team looking for a center or power forward wouldn’t be clamoring for this young man. In an ESPN interview, he says:
“My goal every day is to do everything I can to become the best I can be. I’m doing that with my pre-draft training — in the weight room getting stronger, tightening up my [ballhandling], my shooting, and becoming more accustomed to handling an NBA style of game. Summer league will be my first opportunity to showcase that.”
A multi-award-winning player
In his very short college career, Holmgren has won many awards. Including:
- WCC Defensive Player of the Year
- WCC Newcomer of the Year
- Second team All American
- First-team All-WCC
- WCC All-Freshman team
Holmgren was also one of five finalists for the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year award.
You’ve heard it hear first. There is a new NBA coming. Look at the Lakers and the Nets this season. Putting all those players together to win a championship! Hah! Teams will be homegrown again, building through the draft. Look at the Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, the Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, and let’s not forget the Golden State Warriors. These young players are the NBA’s future. I can’t wait.
With Holmgren, Drew Timme, Andrew Nembhard, and Julian Strawther declaring for the draft, Gonzaga’s 2021 starters are gone.
Related Story: Zags top five transfer targets
Next, I’ll look at what the new Gonzaga Bulldogs will look like for the 2022-23 season! See you soon, but in the meantime, stay safe and healthy!