Before becoming an NBA Rookie of the Year contender, Chet Holmgren was one of the best high school players in the country — and he was remembered for it in a big way with his teammates on hand.
Holmgren, who’s emerged as big part of Thunder’s success this season, got his high school jersey retired Friday to fully cap off his his brilliant career at Minnehaha Academy, and many of his Thunder temmmates were in attendance.
The timing of the ceremony coincided with the team’s trip to Minnesota, where the Thunder will take on the Timberwolves on Saturday.
Before his impressive one season at Gonzaga and getting taken as the No. 2 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, the 7-foot-1 big man starred during four seasons at Minnehaha Academy.
Holmgren helped lead the team to four state titles, also winning several accolades, including Mr. Basketball USA, Gatorade National Player of the Year, Naismith Prep Player of the Year, and he was also a McDonald’s All-American.
During the ceremony that saw his No. 34 retired, a plethora of Thunder teammates joined him in the gym, taking photos with the star on the court.
“I don’t got too many words for everybody,” Holmgren said at the ceremony before his alma mater’s game against Providence Academy, per CBS Sports. “I don’t want to keep these two teams from playing any longer than I already have. I’d just like to say thank you to everybody. I’ve been trying to make my rounds to say hi to everybody, but I probably won’t be able to make it to everyone, so this is my chance to say thank you to everybody who helped give me the opportunity to become who I am and to make this possible for me.”
As a rookie with the Thunder, who are 28-13 and second in the Western Conference halfway through the season, Holmgren is considered a Rookie of the Year frontrunner along with the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama, who was selected No. 1 overall in 2023.
Holmgren is averaging 17.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.5 blocks per game while shooting 54.2 percent from the field and 38.5 percent on 3-pointers.