Sam Mitchell: I 'absolutely' would have brought Chet Holmgren to U

Former Timberwolves player and coach says on 'The Scoop' podcast that he would've kept an NBA talent in state.

In a recent appearance on Skor North’s “The Scoop” podcast with Darren Wolfson, former Timberwolves coach and player Sam Mitchell said Chet Holmgren would have been a Gopher had Mitchell been hired as the men’s basketball coach at the U.

“Did you tell me if you had gotten the Gophers job many years ago that you were going to get Chet Holmgren to play for you?” Wolfson asked.

“Absolutely, absolutely,” Mitchell replied.

Holmgren, a Minnehaha Academy grad and the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, instead went to Gonzaga for one year and the center averaged 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game for the Bulldogs.

He's currently averaging 17.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in his rookie season for the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

Mitchell also said he wouldn’t have played Holmgren at center, but instead as a small forward or power forward. He didn't like the idea of Holmgren playing at center with his back to the basket.

“He’s a forward,” Mitchell told Wolfson. “He’s more a Kevin Durant than anybody else. He just looks a little different doing it, but he’s effective.”

Chet Holmgren (left) and Sam Mitchell (right).  / © Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports, © Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Mitchell also had high praise for the NBA-leading Timberwolves during his appearance on the podcast. But he spoke particularly highly of Holmgren, who he believes can be a special player in the NBA.

“If Chet Holmgren keeps developing the way he’s developing, who’s to say in three to four years he’s not an MVP candidate?” Mitchell said. 

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