Today, Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder is considered one of the best young players in the league and there has been a lot of conversation about him possibly winning Rookie of the Year this season.
But Holmgren was actually supposed to start his NBA career with the Thunder last season. Unfortunately, a devastating foot injury during the summer of 2022 prevented him from suiting up even once during the 2022-23 season.
Now Holmgren is speaking about his time away from the league in basketball limbo.
Speaking on "The Woj Pod," Holmgren talked about what he felt during what was supposed to be his first season.
Holmgren said:
"Loneliness is a good word that describes somewhat of the situation. You certainly feel disconnected, disconnected from the team, from a lot of people. I was there in a new city trying to get acclimated to everything, on top of that I am not traveling with the team now, I have to take doctor visits, and I have surgery and this and that."
Holmgren continued: "So it was a lot of time I just spent on my own and just focus on what I had to do, and ultimately get back to you know, being able to help my teammates out there on the court. Been a lot of not-fun days, but I knew what I had to do and I feel like I executed it as best as I could possibly could, to get to where I am now."
Thankfully for Holmgren and the team, he was able to heal and started the 2023-24 with a mission and something to prove.
So far, he has definitely been proving it. Holmgren is averaging 16.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists on 53.8% from the field. Much like his Rookie of the Year competitor Victor Wembanyama, Holmgren uses his length on both ends of the court and moves with great speed.
Holmgren spent a year away from the NBA hoping to come back as soon as possible. That is behind him now and making up for lost time. Partly because of Holmgren, the Thunder are the top team in the West with a 45-19 record.
Chet Holmgren is the FIRST player ever to have these numbers in a season: 150+ blocks 150+ assists 100+ threes It’s only February. 🤯
Victor Wembanyama is the FIRST player ever to have these numbers in a season: 150+ blocks 150+ assists 75+ threes It’s only February 🤯 (via @Wemby_Muse)
