2023 NBA Rookies: Chet Holmgren Set to Make Return to Play

After missing his technical first season due to injury, Thunder center Chet Holmgren is set to make his return to play on Monday night.

One of most-lauded players in the 2022 NBA Draft class, Thunder selectee Chet Holmgren missed his first season due to an injury sustained in an off-season pro-am.

But on Monday, the former Gonzaga hybrid is set to make a return to play for Oklahoma City against the Utah Jazz in one of the first 2023 NBA Summer League games.

For those needing a refresher, Draft Digest writer Derek Parker recently took to YouTube to break down Holmgren’s Gonzaga tape:

Holmgren is the missing piece for Oklahoma City, who have essentially functioned without a true center for the better part of three years now. At 7-foot with a 7-foot-6 wingspan, Holmgren offers elite rim protection, size as a rim runner and transition threat, as well as the qualities that have made OKC such a strong rebuild like passing and quick decision-making.

At Gonzaga, Holmgren averaged 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 61 percent from the field, 39 percent from beyond the arc and 72 percent from the line.

Holmgren, flanked by 2022 Rookie of the Year runner-up Jalen Williams, as well as a host of other young Thunder players, will make return at 8 p.m. against the Utah Jazz.

Utah is set to run out ninth overall selection in the 2023 draft Taylor Hendricks and 16th overall pick Keyonte George as it’s Summer League headliners.

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