Former Gonzaga standout Chet Holmgren was selected as the second pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Holmgren became the highest Bulldog draft choice in program history. Adam Morrison was the third overall pick by the Charlotte Bobcats in 2006.
Holmgren was named to the Wooden All-American Team, Second Team All-American by Sporting News and the Associated Press, and third team by the NABC and USBWA.
Holmgren was named a finalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year after he tied the program record and West Coast Conference record for most blocks in a single season at 117. Former Zag Brandon Clarke also blocked 117 shots in the 2018-19 season. Holmgren is fourth in the nation with 117 blocks and fourth averaging 3.66 blocks per game. He also tied the West Coast Conference record averaging 3.7 blocks per league game, matching Hondre Brewer's mark in 2002. Holmgren ranks sixth for most blocks in a career in program history. The Minneapolis native had more blocks (117) than missed shots from the field (110) this season.
Holmgren led the conference grabbing 9.9 rebounds per game, which was 18th in the country. He was eighth in the nation pulling down 8.12 defensive boards per outing. Holmgren was 10th in the WCC averaging 14.1 points per game. He was 12th in the country shooting 60.7 percent from the field, which led the WCC. The freshman was second in the nation making 73.7 percent inside-the-arc. Holmgren was named the WCC Newcomer and Defensive Player of the Year and is a finalist for the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award.
Holmgren was the 12th Zag to be drafted in the first round, joining John Stockton in 1984 (16th overall pick, Utah Jazz), Dan Dickau in 2002 (28th overall pick, Sacramento Kings), Adam Morrison in 2006 (3rd overall pick, Charlotte Bobcats), Austin Daye in 2009 (15th overall pick, Detroit Pistons), Kelly Olynyk in 2013 (13th overall pick, Dallas Mavericks), Domantas Sabonis in 2016 (11th overall pick, Orlando Magic), Zach Collins in 2017 (10th overall pick, Sacramento Kings), Rui Hachimura (9th overall pick, Washington Wizards) and Brandon Clarke (21st overall pick, Oklahoma City Thunder) in 2019, and Jalen Suggs (5th overall pick, Orlando Magic) and Corey Kispert (15th overall pick, Washington Wizards) in 2021. Ian Mahinmi was a first round pick and 28th overall by the San Antonio Spurs in 2005. Mahinmi had signed a letter-of-intent to attend Gonzaga for the 2005-06 season, but never enrolled in school.
Holmgren is the 28th GU player selected in the NBA Draft all-time, and the 16th under Few.