From 340 to Plus-350: Chet Holmgren’s Thunder Comeback Story Should Not Be Ignored

Almost a year after a right-foot injury kept Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren sidelined for the entire season, the 7-foot-1 center is officially back on an NBA court, and his comeback story is not something to forget about.

Stepping foot onto an NBA court on July 3 for the first time since suffering a Lisfranc injury nearly a year prior was the easy part for 21-year-old Chet Holmgren. 

All it involved was him suiting up in the stripped-down version of the Oklahoma City Thunder uniforms, lacing up his shoes and walking out with the rest of the teammates. The time was irrelevant, as was the place — though it was Salt Lake City, Utah, to be precise — because there was only one thing that mattered to Holmgren in that moment: he was back. 

He was about to play basketball with some of the country's top athletes, some of whom were fighting for a spot on an NBA roster. All they wanted to do was make it, but Holmgren already had. So what made his debut special? 

Maybe it was because he was 7-foot-1 — his lanky frame making him seem frail against bigger, stockier basketball players. Or maybe it was simpler than that. 

Holmgren had done this before, just not on the NBA stage. He'd laced up, put on a jersey and walked out with his teammates. In fact, he'd done it countless times. The last time he did, however, was 340 days ago, the day he broke his foot. 

"The toughest part was not playing," Holmgren said in his postseason media availability. "Obviously, [my rookie year] looked a lot different than expected, but I just tried to work with what I was given. My focus was on [my team] and helping them succeed."

Holmgren's injury kept him sidelined for the entirety of the entire 2022-23 season and ceased any talks of him becoming the "next big thing." It was out of his hands, until the day he suited up again for the Salt Lake City Summer League. That's when everything changed. Holmgren was now in control of his own destiny on the court. 

That was the hard part, but Holmgren didn't pay that any mind. 

Instead, he did what he knew what he was capable of, and now, just a few months away from the start of the regular season, Holmgren has the second-best odds to win Rookie of the Year: +350. And his comeback story should not be ignored.

First Impressions

Holmgren's return was nothing short of special for him, the fans and the team. That much was obvious, even after the game, and for simpler reasons than you might think.

"It was real good [to have him back]," Thunder rookie Tre Mann said following OKC's 95-85 victory over the Utah Jazz. "Especially down at the rim when somebody gets passed to."

"Down there" is a generic way of describing Holmgren's defensive area, but truth be told, trying to make it any more specific might minimize his impact. In his return, Holmgren registered four blocks and nine rebounds to go along with 15 points, proving his talents on both sides of the ball. 

"My teammates kept telling me to let the game come to me," Holmgren said following the game. "I wanted to be aggressive, and I feel like I did that. Once the game came to me, things started to open up." 

Added Holmgren: "It's like the injury never happened. If you erased my memory, I wouldn’t know anything happened to my foot." 

Holmgren's all-around showcase didn't just stop there, however. Despite the Thunder losing their second outing against the Memphis Grizzlies, the 7-foot-1 center finished with a double-double before capping off his Summer League showcase in Las Vegas with a 25-point, five block performance as the Thunder overpowered the Pacers, 98-87. 

Chet Holmgren with the huge chasedown block 💪

Watch last year's No. 2 pick in #NBA2KSummerLeague action on NBA TV!

📲: https://t.co/1vi3UqGwwk pic.twitter.com/tWvh0VOdhK

— NBA (@NBA) July 13, 2023

His dominance only further solidified his high draft placement — something he now has the opportunity to prove more this season, especially with his expected impact. No, Holmgren won't be the Thunder's first offensive option, but he's going to need to be efficient when his number is called, which is exactly what his goal is.

“It’s great to be able to learn and get better in any capacity that I can,” Holmgren said. “I’m trying to soak up the knowledge of how things are done around here so when I get back in there I can seamlessly plug myself in.”

Without even knowing it, Holmgren has become one of the most talked about players amongst Thunder fans, but that's just within his own fanbase. For them, Holmgren is a clear-cut Rookie of the Year. But across the league? 

That's a completely different story.

Overcoming the Wembanyama Hype

While fans across the stadium were pouring into Cox Pavillion in Las Vegas to watch Holmgren terrorize the defensive glass, there was a less-exciting matchup going on in the main gym: Toronto taking on Detroit. 

Not bad teams, but certainly not a 7-foot-1 center who's "rookie" season was cut short before it even started. Naturally, Holmgren was attracting attention. Two days earlier, however, another 7-foot center took the floor in Las Vegas. He also was about to make his NBA debut, also in front of a sold out crowd. 

So what was the difference? The other center's name was Victor Wembanyama, and he sold-out a stadium with 17,068 more seats. 

It’s three and a half hours before No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama debuts at summer league and the crowd is already starting to fill in at what will be a sold-out Thomas & Mack Center. There are also over 500 media credentials. pic.twitter.com/e8wOWK0B1v

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) July 7, 2023

The difference in attention isn’t Holmgren’s fault. Not in the slightest. What sets Wembanyama apart is his size, ball-handling ability and his wise-beyond-his-years personality. Holmgren has those qualities as well, with slightly less height — which is saying a lot. 

On the court, Holmgren dazzles crowds with his athleticism and shot-making ability. Off of it, he’s turned into a team leader. Developing a positive mindset after being told your rookie season won’t be happening takes somebody like that. 

And Chet is that somebody. 

“[Overcoming my injury] just [came] down to putting my mental energy towards it and becoming a professional off the court.” Holmgren said.  

He’s certainly becoming a true professional every day as the regular season comes closer. Wembanyama is, too, but because of his Lebron James comparisons, the “Wemby Train” may be the only thing talked about online. While media coverage shouldn’t be any player’s main focus, it certainly factors into their performance. And that may be one of the harder parts of next season — especially if Holmgren hopes to contend for Rookie of the Year. 

Wembanyama may be the only candidate with negative betting odds, but Holmgren has something that not even he has: experience. 

OKC’s rookie will get a chance to prove why that matters this season — and barring anymore setbacks — he will. Holmgren’s future is in his hands, but his comeback story involves both on-court and off-court talent. Holmgren has both — and now it’s up to him to show the NBA how scary he can truly be. After all, he has plus 350 odds. 

That’s certainly nothing to just glance over. 

---

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