JJ Redick loves Chet Holmgren's 'competitive edge'

Former Gonzaga standout has been exceptional leading up to his NBA debut

NBA fans have patiently waited for over a year for Chet Holmgren to make his professional debut with the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

High expectations aren't anything new to Holmgren — he was the highest-ranked recruit in Gonzaga men's basketball history as the No. 1 prospect in the 2021 class. As the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, many expected the 7-footer to take the league by storm as a rim protector who can take a rebound coast-to-coast, create his own shot and knock down an open 3-pointer. Conversely, some were concerned his frame would hinder his effectiveness at the pro level.

Admittedly it's only the preseason, but so far, Holmgren's game has been as advertised. 

In 21 minutes per game, Holmgren is averaging 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. He's looked more than comfortable in OKC's system, shooting 62.1% from the field and 55.6% from deep on three attempts per game. It's not likely that Holmgren can maintain that efficiency over the course of the regular season, though there's something to be said about a rookie playing with Holmgren's level of confidence.

“I’m gonna say this in a nice way… Chet Holmgren, you may call it playing with a competitive edge, I would say he’s an asshole… He’s got some shit to him… And that to me, gives me hope that he ultimately turns out to be an All-NBA player”

— JJ Redick 😂

(via @OldManAndThree) pic.twitter.com/s7tdYoFE3H

— Cooper Jones (@CooperJNBA) October 17, 2023

On a recent episode of The Old Man and the Three podcast with former NBA player JJ Redick, Holmgren’s impressive play came up. And Redick loves what he sees.“I’m gonna say this in a nice way … Chet Holmgren, you may call it playing with a competitive edge, I would say he’s an ***hole," Redick said on the podcast. "He’s got some *** to him … And that to me, gives me hope that he ultimately turns out to be an All-NBA player." 

Holmgren fills an immediate need for the Thunder, who played center-by-committee last season with 6-foot-10 rookie Jaylin Williams getting the most starts (36) though he only played 18.7 minutes per game. Four of the starters were listed as guards, the tallest being 6-foot-6 Jalen Williams. OKC has an abundance of young talent that likes to play fast (sixth in the NBA in pace at 101.1 possessions per game), the type of tempo Holmgren grew accustomed to while at Gonzaga.

Again, it's only preseason, and Holmgren is nowhere near a finished product as a 21-year-old entering his first NBA season. He'll likely never escape lofty expectations though, especially in a loaded rookie class that features French phenom Victor Wembanyama. Holmgren and Wembanyama will be linked as the NBA's future generation of stars if everything pans out, and thus far it looks like the league is heading toward 7-footers who operate like guards. 

The Thunder have one more preseason game on Friday against the Detroit Pistons. Holmgren's official NBA debut is slated for Oct. 25 against the Chicago Bulls.

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