Is Chet Holmgren one of the top 100 players in the NBA? ESPN panel thinks so

Former Gonzaga star had a stellar preseason debut with the OKC Thunder

He has yet to play in an NBA regular-season game, but Chet Holmgren is already considered one of the top 100 players in the association.

The former Gonzaga men's basketball star came in at No. 73 in ESPN's NBArank 2023 edition, a ranking of the top 100 NBA players voted on by nearly 150 reporters, editors, producers and analysts. The panel ranked players based on their predicted contributions for the 2023-24 season only.

Holmgren, who missed all of last season with a Lisfranc injury to his right foot, was ranked ahead of power forwards Kyle Kuzma (No. 86), John Collins (No. 90), Harrison Barnes (No. 96) and Grant Williams (No. 97). Here's ESPN's reasoning for OKC's 7-foot-1 rookie to exceed his ranking in 2023-24:

"Holmgren could be a huge difference-maker for the Thunder. His potential to impact the game on both ends of the floor with his height and length is tantalizing. If Holmgren can make shots and erase them on the other end -- and isn't pushed around by stronger bigs -- he could certainly exceed this ranking."

ESPN's rankings of the top 100-51 players released Tuesday comes on the heels of Holmgren's 21-point showing in his NBA preseason debut against the San Antonio Spurs and No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama. The two heralded rookies went back and forth throughout, as Wembanyama finished with 20 points, five rebounds and one block, though the Thunder roared back to sneak out a 122-121 victory.

Holmgren was impactful on both ends of the floor. He shot 7-for-10 from the floor, including 2-for-2 from deep, to go along with nine rebounds and a block in just 16 minutes of action.

Chet Holmgren showed out in his #NBAPreseason debut 😤

21 PTS
9 REB
7/10 FGM
2/2 3PM

...in just 16 minutes! pic.twitter.com/7pmQ91NDhe

— NBA (@NBA) October 10, 2023

Holmgren and Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson were the lone rookies in the first 49 players that were ranked. Both will look to steal NBA Rookie of the Year honors from Wembanyama, who currently has +100 odds on Bet MGM to win the award. Holmgren and Henderson are tied at +300.

Holmgren and the Thunder continue preseason action against the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday at 4 p.m. PST.