Getty Image
- The Oklahoma City Thunder drafted 7’1″ center Chet Holmgren with the 2nd pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
- The former Gonzaga star made his Summer League debut on Tuesday, July 5.
- After posting 23 points, 7 rebounds and 6 blocks, NBA fans began joking about Holmgren’s potential to become the GOAT.
Here’s what I don’t like about Chet Holmgren (no offense to him, of course): he makes me feel incredibly old as he appears to be one of the first TikTok teens to make it into the NBA, following the likes of Tyler Herro before him. Other than the fact that my existential battle with almost turning 30 is manifesting itself in a faux dislike for a 7’1″ 20-year-old, though, I wish him nothing but the best!
And the best, apparently, is what some people think Holmgren might turn out to be after seeing him play in just ONE Summer League game, as the 2nd overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft posted 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 blocks during his first taste of professional basketball.
Given Holmgren’s unique slender stature, the former Gonzaga star has become something of a meme already, as the duo of he and Aleksej Pokusevski has already been dubbed the “Thin Towers”.
That extremely high meme-ability translated into Twitter somewhat predictably overreacting to Holmgren’s first Summer League game, with some jokingly wondering if the 20-year-old center is the GOAT-in-the-making.
NBA world react to Chet Holmgren’s first Summer League game
.@ChetHolmgren tweeted this out after going OFF in his Summer League debut 👀 pic.twitter.com/2eSbBkNqR6
— ESPN (@espn) July 6, 2022
this is uncanny 👀 🤯
Chet Holmgren 2022 Dirk Nowitzki 2011pic.twitter.com/yV1KWTBZB2
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) July 6, 2022
"Only six? … I'm coming to break it again."
Chet Holmgren after breaking the Summer League record for blocks 😅 pic.twitter.com/E6dtUBPQmB
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 6, 2022
Hey so Chet Holmgren may very well be the best basketball player of all time
— 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒆 🌩 (@Three_Cone) July 6, 2022
It's only Summer League but this was an unbelievable Summer League performance by Chet Holmgren.
23 points
9 shots
7 rebounds
6 blocks
4 assists
23 minutesChet looked more like the HS version of himself with the freedom to create so much off the dribble. Just better. pic.twitter.com/g2ivpAxvhi
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) July 6, 2022
Chet Holmgren is hitting pull up threes, one legged fadeaways… 6-for-7 shooting, and 3 blocks… all in the first half.
This kid is ridiculous.
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 6, 2022
Everyone before this game: Don't overreact to the Summer League
Me after watching Chet Holmgren and Josh Giddey for 6 minutes: RIP OKC Rebuild 2020-2022
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) July 6, 2022
After missing the postseason last season as the 14 seed in the Western Conference, the Thunder and their fans will be hoping that adding Holmgren to their promising young core — that includes the likes of Pokusevski, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, and Josh Giddey — will propel them back into playoff contention this year.
RELATED: Ja Morant Gives $500 Tip To Waitress Who Loses It After Realizing Who He Is (Video)