Gonzaga Bulldogs: Mock Draft Consensus on Chet Holmgren 2.0
Ed Stein
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Scouting Report
When it comes to skill and determination, just about every scouting report believes Holmgren is the real deal. There are many comparisons to Kristaps Porzingas because Holmgren does so many things well.
But it’s also an unfair comparison. The NBA’s next “Unicorn” has an internal competition level that anyone who coached the 7-3 Latvian wished he had.
What separates Holmgren from the rest of the big men in this draft is his skill level. Until a growth spurt put him literally head and shoulders above his eighth-grade peers, he was a ball-handling guard. That’s why Holmgren has no problems bringing the ball up the floor.
The seven-footer likes to shoot from the outside. There were flashes of success last season, but also inconsistency. Even though he can dribble, pass, and shoot, Holmgren doesn’t ignore the defensive side.
He’s a legitimate inside defender who can swat balls away with a natural ease. Additionally, he moves well and isn’t mismatched very often, even if he has to switch to guard a smaller player.
Of course, the biggest knock on Holmgren is his thin frame. There are some very strong people in the NBA, and he’ll have to adapt.
At the combine, he impressed NBA scouts and execs with his toughness. What Holmgren lacks in bulk, he makes up with intensity.