Case File No.45: Chet Holmgren

Chet Holmgren (7). Photo Credit: Nate Billings/AP.

Today, I look into the file of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren. Note: Like my last post, this is an updated entry from an assignment I did when I took a course for Sports Management Worldwide.

Team: Oklahoma City Thunder

Position: Power Forward/Center

HT: 7-1 WT: 208

Credentials:

NBA Champion (2025)

WCC Freshman of the Year (2022)

First-team All-WCC (2022)

Strengths:

-Can score in different ways

-Very good shooter

-Good ball handler

-Good rebounder

-Makes great use of length as a defender

-Rim protector

-Runs the floor well

-Will battle for rebounds despite his frame

Weaknesses:

-Injury prone

-Light frame, particularly for his height

-Gets overpowered by bigger players

Final Analysis:

Chet is a versatile, two-way player who can play both power forward and center, but I think he's better off as a forward, unless facing a team with a small lineup. He can score facing up or driving to the basket. He will go to the low post occasionally, but facing up is more of his strength. He's a good shooter who typically shoots a high percentage, with range on his shot. He uses his length to his advantage on both ends, particularly on defense.

He's a good, but not a great rebounder. He's a very good rim protector. He will battle in the paint for rebounds, which you wouldn't expect for someone his size.

He's injury prone and he can get overpowered by bigger, stronger players. I remember a play where he was knocked back by a guard driving to the basket, and I don't think he was flopping. I think most of this is due to his lightweight frame. Like most players with his build, he's not the best moving laterally.

Chet has developed into a critical piece to the Thunder's success. Although he has bulked up a little--he was listed at 195 when he was drafted, and now is listed at 208--since he was drafted in 2022, he could stand to continue to develop his strength. I think there's more to his game offensively, but he's the third option at best on this team.

I don't see many glaring holes in Chet's game. I think the main thing for him to work on his strength and conditioning, and continue to develop the skills he already has. Adding some posts moves wouldn't hurt, either. Otherwise, I think he's a really good player with the ceiling to get better.