Chet Holmgren, the hooper who doesn’t just stand out on the court—he’s built to defy expectations. His towering height, and versatile game, make him more than just a player. But what lies behind his extraordinary skills is a rich family background and a cultural heritage that has shaped his path. Let’s explore the roots that have fueled Holmgren’s journey to NBA stardom.

Is Chet Holmgren Caucasian? A look at the OKC Thunder star’s nationality and background

Born as Chet Thomas Holmgren on May 1, 2002, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. his nationality is American. However, he’s not fully American by ethnicity. He was born to parents, Dave Holmgren and Sarah Harris, American nationals, but are white Caucasians.

Which makes Chet’s ethnicity Caucasian-American. When talking about what his parents do, Dave is an ex-basketball player who played 57 college games for the University of Minnesota from 1984 to 1988. But, there’s no information about what his mother does.

It was his father who noticed that his son was special. “I saw it in 4th or 5th grade. He started doing things with the ball that guards do — fluidly. He was still raw, but at that moment I knew he was going to be pretty good,” Dave recalled. He told his wife first, but she wasn’t serious about it.

Sarah said, “David’s been telling me for years that Chet was going to be very good and very special. I kept rolling my eyes. Of course, you’re going to say that. You’re his father!”

Fast forward to today.

Chet Holmgren was destined to be the best American-born white player since Larry Bird! His dad is so confident that he says there’s more to come. “Just wait. You’re going to see something a whole lot different than you saw in college. Trust me.” Now that’s a proud father!

He was right. Chet’s dynamic rise to stardom is his testimonial to his debut season, which was filled with record-breaking nights. Remember when he joined Michael Jordan as the only rookie who put up at least 35 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals, one block, and two three-pointers made in a game?

Chet Holmgren had scored a career-high 36 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals, two blocks, and two three-pointers against the Warriors. He topped it with a game-tying buzzer-beater trey that sent the contest to overtime! This highlighted his elite two-way potential. But he and his dad aren’t the only athletes from their family.

Chet Holmgren is a brother to two sisters, an older sister, Claire, and a younger sister, Alexandra. Alexandra is also a notable athlete. From high school, she’s played volleyball for the Hopkins Royals. She also dawned the Minnesota Select Volleyball Club colors from 2017 to 2021. With that said, let’s now explore how the hoopster broke into the NBA.

Holmgren- High School Phenom to Gonzaga Star and being an NBA prospect

Standing 7’1″ and weighing 94 kg, Chet’s rise to NBA stardom wasn’t a typical story. Growing up in Minneapolis, he always had basketball in his blood. His dad, Dave Holmgren, played college ball, and Chet followed suit, showing promise early on. But when did he realize he was different? Maybe it was when he reached 6’9″ by ninth grade, or when he started dominating his high school courts!

At Minnehaha Academy, his talent truly took shape. By his senior year, he was already averaging 21 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 4.5 blocks per game. And this led to awards pouring in—Mr. Basketball USA, Gatorade National Player of the Year, McDonald’s All-American. But was he just another high school star, or something more?

Chet Holmgren’s performance against Sierra Canyon in 2020 turned heads. This was the game that made him NBA-ready- 9 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 blocks in a game against Bronny James and other future NBA talents. By his junior year, the hooper became the most sought-after recruit in the nation. Was it his height, his versatility, or his skill set that caught the attention of college scouts?

Perhaps all of it.

In 2021, he decided to take his dominance to the floors of Gonzaga, just like his former teammate Jalen Suggs. Was it a right move? Well, it was. His college debut left many jaw-dropped, as he did things no one could ever do, scoring 14 points, 13 rebounds, seven blocks, and six assists.

He was already a positive force, winning West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, in his freshman year itself. His stat line of 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game solidified his status as one of the most promising players in the country. Was there any doubt that he was NBA-bound? In the NCAA Tournament, he delivered a standout performance against Georgia State with 19 points, 17 rebounds, and seven blocks!

Finally, in April 2022, he declared for the NBA Draft. The Oklahoma City Thunder then selected him second overall. His dreams finally became reality, but there was a rock to break. He missed his rookie season due to a Lisfranc injury. And he made a comeback in the next season playing every game and the rest is history. One thing’s for sure—Chet Holmgren’s ready to make his mark in the NBA.