ESPN Analyst and NBA Veteran Picks Holmgren for Rookie of the Year
On Tuesday, 17-year NBA veteran and former NBA champion Richard Jefferson made a bold prediction on ESPN.
The former Cavaliers' forward, who is now a media member, was asked who his pick for Rookie of the Year would be prior to the start of the regular season. Without hesitation, Jefferson said that he believes OKC Thunder big man Chet Holmgren will take home the prestigious award.
"Who do I think is going to be the Rookie of the Year," Jefferson said. "I think, personally, I think it's going to be Chet Holmgren."
Jefferson went on to mention a few of the reasons why Holmgren may have an advantage over Victor Wembanyama, another highly touted rookie big man, saying that the Spurs may not be willing to give their 19-year-old star as many minutes later in the season if the team is already out of the playoff picture.
Jefferson also highlighted the skill level of Holmgren's teammates, saying that players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and company will be able to take the majority of the pressure off of Holmgren's shoulders.
"I think Chet Holmgren is in a space where he won't be able to be focused on because they have Shai there," Jefferson said. "So (Chet) is going to get to roam, be that all everything guy, and there's less pressure on him."
While the Spurs have plenty of solid young pieces, they don't have an offensive star like Gilgeous-Alexander who can be the offensive leader for the team.
Finally, Jefferson pointed out that Holmgren has already spent a season in the NBA, recovering from a season-ending foot injury that the Gonzaga product suffered in a Pro-Am game.
"If you go back to Ben Simmons and you go back to Donovan Mitchell, there's an unfair advantage if you have a year sitting out, Chet has that advantage," Jefferson said. "So when I look at that, and what their team is going to be elevated and able to do, I think Chet should be the early (favorite). That's who I'd pick, that's my pick."
Holmgren would be the third player in recent memory to win the Rookie of the Year Award after missing what should have been his rookie year with an injury, following in the footsteps of Ben Simmons and Blake Griffin.
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