Meet Chet Holmgren, the #1 High-Schooler in the Nation Who’s Under the Radar of the Gonzaga Bulldogs

High-school basketball is the platform where talented athletes recognize their passion and take it to the next stage. There will always be one prospect who will stand out from the rest in every high-school class. As for 2021, Chet Holmgren holds the honor of being the #1 recruit in the nation. 

It is no easy task to maintain a reputation like Chet Holmgren. Though his name is not extensively famous at the moment, it will be in a few months’ time. But why is there so much hype around a high-school senior in the first place? Who is he? 

Chet Holmgren is currently in his senior year at Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis. The seven-foot-one center stole the limelight in high-school basketball with his incredible ability to block shots. 

There is immense hype around 18-year-old Holmgren and he’s touted to join a top Division I team after graduating high school. But first, let’s look at how he plays and what he’s achieved so far. 

Chet Holmgren has a case to become one of the best high-school talents ever

A lot of young talents peak during their high-school careers. A lot of it has to do with the physicality as top high-school ballers can be easily identified from the rest. They maintain a different physique to keep excelling above others. 

Holmgren is no different in that aspect, and he is a solid player on both ends of the court. He’s ranked as a five-star recruit by 247Sports and ESPN ranks him as the #1 player in the 2021 high-school class. 

The seven-footer has a lean physique, but it allows him to be a better ball handler along with his other skills. Holmgren is a natural shot blocker and some even call him one of the best in the history of high-school basketball.

The Minnehaha Academy senior has mixed skills in his bag but looks to prioritize his defense more than the offense. However, Holmgren has smooth shooting skills that allow him to fill the stat sheet. 

Around seven Division I schools are reported to be after Chet Holmgren, but the teenager has not made any commitments yet. He is such a versatile player for his height but would need to bulk up a bit to carry his high-school success into college. 

As of now, it looks likely that Holmgren would prefer to join the Gonzaga Bulldogs amid offers from other top institutions like North Carolina, Memphis, and Michigan. 

Holmgren has already caught the attention of NBA stars

Steph Curry and Dwyane Wade are also the reason behind Chet Holmgren’s rapid rise to fame. Back in 2019, Holmgren attended Curry’sSC30 Select Camp’ where he showcased his incredible skills. 

Holmgren used one of Curry’s signature moves against him and breezed past the Warriors star to dunk the ball into the basket. This clip went viral and people began hyping Holmgren ever since.

Four-time NBA champion Dwyane Wade joined the party next when he shared the same video and made a tweet about Holmgren’s talents. This was enough for fans to turn their attention towards the high-schooler. 

Chet Holmgren has a lot of reputation to his name at such a young age. All this will add up in his head when he enters college this year. Will he live up to the hype and enter the NBA Draft in 2022?