Thunder Rookie Chet Holmgren: 'I Just Love to Hoop'

Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren is gaining every bit of basketball experience he can soak up ahead of his NBA debut.

Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren is gaining invaluable experience playing with Team USA Select. He and his teammate Jalen Williams are taking on the main Team USA squad in scrimmages as they prepare for the FIBA World Cup.

Something many NBA players around the league have complimented Holmgren on in his short time with the Thunder has been his work ethic. The 7-footer has competed in every possible competition ahead of his delayed NBA debut after missing his entire rookie season. He's played in Summer League, pro-am games, pickup games with plenty of talent involved and now, the Team USA Select.

It's no secret that Holgmren not only wants to make a full return to the basketball court but to be better than he was pre-injury. The lisfranc injury was a long setback, but now the team is better equipped to onboard the center and he's done everything in his power to be ready to make his Thunder debut.

After competing against Team USA once again in scrimmages, Holmgren took a question from Terrel Emerson on his live stream. 

“Any opportunity to play is something I wanna take advantage of, I just love to hoop,” Holmgren said on the live stream. 

A common theme in Holmgren's game is that he wants to play basketball by any means necessary. 

Part of the reason the Thunder will be able to make a serious push at the playoffs this season is because the team's young talent wants to play. Load management won't be an issue and the team will be able to roll out their best lineups on a consistent basis. 

Whether it be an injury recovery or enduring the long, tough season, Holmgren clearly has what it takes to make sure he's on top of things and won't face any real setbacks in his career.

---

Want to join the discussion? Like Inside the Thunder on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Thunder news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.