The Oklahoma City Thunder have selected Gonzaga big man Chet Holmgren with the No. 2 overall pick of the 2022 NBA Draft.
Earmarked as a surefire top-five pick before his lone season in Spokane, Holmgren lived up to the hype with the Bulldogs despite existing questions about his exceedingly lithe frame holding up against improved competition. He averaged 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and a whopping 3.7 blocks per game, shooting 60.7% from the field and 39.0% from beyond the arc. Holmgren earned West Coast Conference Newcomer of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors, also being named a consensus Second Team All-American.
A truly elite shot-blocker with a smooth perimeter shooting stroke and impressive all-around feel for the game, Holmgren may lack the blend of power and dexterity ever needed to be a top offensive option at the next level. Bigs who primarily protect the rim and space the floor are immensely valuable in the modern NBA, though, and scouts haven't dispensed with the notion that Holmgren could eventually become a solid switch defender.
The big question with Holmgren revolves around his unique 195-pound frame despite standing over seven feet tall. If he's able to put on 25-30 pounds over the next few years, the Minneapolis native could establish himself as a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate and All-NBA selection, perhaps even developing into an all-court offensive hub. Otherwise, Holmgren's narrow shoulders and skinny waist may prevent him from becoming that type of game-changing two-way force, his overt physicality and ever-aggressive attitude failing to compensate for a major strength deficit against other NBA bigs.
Either way, Holmgren's sky-high ceiling and relatively low floor make him a worthy selection at No. 2 for the Thunder.
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