Chet Holmgren

The All-American joins a young roster headlined by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey among others.

He projects to fit in well with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey, and he is viewed as a key building block for the future. Holmgren has been described as having as much upside as any player in the draft this year. The Thunder were said to be locked in on Holmgren throughout the pre-draft process.

Holmgren is a 7-footer who projects as an elite rim protector with guard skills.

I can't wait to see him in the NBA, but I think he winds up as a good, but a bit inconsistent, modern stretch-center. Since Holmgren's still dogged by questions about his frame and shelf life as a durable presence, I'll pick him to be the worst of the three. I think it's more than reasonable to project at least one of the big three (Jabari Smith, Paolo Banchero and Holmgren) to not be a top-five player in this class by the time we look up in 2030 and take stock of all that's happened. There is, of course, some doubt as to whether Holmgren will live up to the hype. Can he hold up to the physical toll of the NBA? Everyone will cite the fact that scouts voiced similar concerns about Kevin Durant when he was coming out of college, and indeed the NBA has become much more about skill than physicality. The concerns about Holmgren's slight frame are legitimate -- but he's such a unique prospect with incredible potential that he's the right pick here.

The 2022 NBA Draft is just hours away, and the top three seem to be locked among Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga), Jabari Smith (Auburn), and Paolo Banchero (Duke).

One of the more recent comparisons for Holmgren has been to a young Giannis. Not MVP Giannis, but 2013s 15th overall pick of the draft. We saw in the NCAA Tournament that Holmgren’s play felt underwhelming at times as the competition got stronger, tougher, and stepped up a notch. It’s not impossible, but I’d like to see if Holmgren can add half the weight Giannis has over his time in the league. Regardless of Banchero’s overnight rise, I’d still be inclined to draft him ahead of Holmgren. Banchero’s game and body are ready to contribute in the NBA immediately. Holmgren is pulling up the rear in this comparison with Smith and Banchero. But missing on the second overall pick when there’s a better option (or two) available is something not easily forgotten.

MINNEAPOLIS - Chet Holmgren is the latest Minnesota native to become a lottery pick in the NBA Draft. The former Minnehaha Academy and Gonzaga star went No.

Stay in the moment, soak it all in because it goes quick, and you can't relive it," Holmgren said. "I try to live with as few expectations as possible, so I can just completely be in the moment. He shot 73.7 percent from the floor in one season at Gonzaga, including 39 percent from the perimeter. He’s a 6-6, 255-pound forward who has been compared to Charles Barkley. "I've been 100 percent in the moment going with the flow today, and look where we are." His NBA dream is now officially a reality, and he’ll call Oklahoma City home. He can score on the inside, pass out of double teams, shoot from the perimeter and even take defenders off the dribble. They represent his jersey No. 34 at Gonzaga. It adds up to 7, which is the number he wore for Team USA last year in winning a gold medal. Holmgren, a 7-foot, 195-pound center, is a match-up nightmare for most opponents. I'm ready to compete. I'm ready to go play," Holmgren said Thursday night. Holmgren took the stage in a black suit and wore a chain with two dice, one with a No. 3 and the other a No. 4.