Seven-foot center Chet Holmgren, the top player in this year’s high school recruiting class and a candidate to be the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA draft, has committed to Gonzaga, as Jeff Goodman of Stadium tweets.
While Jalen Suggs and Corey Kispert, among other Zags, appear headed to the NBA, the addition of Holmgrem and the possible return of players like Drew Timme and Andrew Nembhard should make Gonzaga a powerhouse again next season, Goodman notes.
When ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz completed their first 2022 mock draft in December, they wrote that Holmgren is “in a class of his own” and “checks every box” teams want in a top pick. The young center is considered an ideal big man, possessing the ability to block shots, knock down three-pointers, and even handle the ball. He’ll look to cement his place as next year’s first overall pick in his freshman year at Gonzaga.
Here are a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- The NBA sent a memo to teams announcing that it will eliminate restrictions on international travel for fully vaccinated individuals, reports ESPN’s Givony. Scouts and executives have been prohibited from making international scouting trips all season long, but many will now have the opportunity to do so before the July 29 draft.
- Speaking of international players, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype polled 15 NBA talent evaluators about the best players currently in leagues around the world. Former NBA forward Nikola Mirotic topped the list, with potential 2021 lottery pick Josh Giddey of the Adelaide 36ers coming in second.
- Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report examines the impact the compressed schedule and the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols have had on players and coaches, touching on many of the same points that Baxter Holmes of ESPN did last week.
We’ll see if Holmgren can put on any weight. That will be as much of a factor as any in how high he goes in the draft….
Needs about 25 lbs of muscle…WIll be hard o do that in one year.
I still think Emoni Bates will reclassify and be the top pick.
Not sure what the fit between Chet and Timme will be. Timme balled out at center for Gonzaga during the tournament, so trying to shoehorn Chet in the starting rotation will get tricky…
Timme can play the 4. Having Timme and Holmgren on the same team is NOT a problem.
Holmgren can handle and shoot it. He’s a 4 anyways. He’s not a center
It bothers me that TTUN has such a strong recruiting class. If a rival school has to recruit well I prefer Wisconsin or MSU. I am glad though that Holtmann is at least getting the good Ohio kids to stay in state. He also seems to get the most out of them unlike Matta. Just need to put last year’s embarrassment behind us.
Holmgren for a big is skilled. Definitely needs girth. He’s a kid, like Mobley they will put it on. If Timme stays Gonzaga will be back in title game. I was checking Mirotic stats. I remember him being a decent 4. Man if you look at his mins and production from 2016-19. It’s very good. Seems like a solid stretch 4. Can’t believe nobody signed him. Seems he would be a good rotation big.
Josh Giddey is my favorite international player. He’s having a better yr than LaMelo had. This guy is a tru PG at 6’8”. Good handle and great passer. I’d be ecstatic if he lasted in draft till Knicks. This kid is going to be special. Needs to get his shot together. His form is good, needs to improve. He’s and old school PG.
Still surprised Emoni Bates hasn’t reclassified, not a huge fan of ESPN draft content I prefer Drafthd.com