Chet Homlgren Says, “It’s Like The Injury Never Happened”

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Chet Holmgren was one of many extremely touted prospects popping out of school for the 2022 NBA Draft, and the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder made him the second general decide. However harm considerations turned actuality earlier than he ever stepped on an NBA flooring.

Chet Holmgren Makes His Return From Foot Harm

Chet Holmgren on his return from harm:

“It’s just like the harm by no means occurred… in the event you erased my reminiscence, I wouldn’t know something occurred to my foot.”

(by way of @kadekimble, https://t.co/1k0o7nVDdf) pic.twitter.com/ua05vHc8TJ

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 4, 2023

Holmgren’s wiry body and slender leg construct had loads of specialists involved about his sturdiness. Tall, lanky gamers have been infamous for coping with leg and decrease physique illnesses, and it was a pink flag on the 7’1″, 208 pound Holmgren’s scouting report.

Positive sufficient, in August 2022, two months earlier than his rookie season was set to start, Chet Holmgren suffered a Lisfranc harm to his foot throughout a pro-am recreation. He was pressured to overlook the whole lot of his first yr within the NBA, and nonetheless has by no means competed in any stage larger than the Summer time League.

However Holmgren has began off his second Summer time League marketing campaign by displaying that he is perhaps again to full energy. Of their first recreation in opposition to the Utah Jazz, Homgren scored 15 factors, grabbed 9 rebounds, and blocked 4 photographs in 29 minutes of play. All of it was an excellent signal for his development and rehab.

Holmgren Will Be Eligible For ROY In 2023-24

Chet Holmgren tonight:

15 Factors
9 Rebounds
4 Blocks
2 Assists pic.twitter.com/Zl6Yt0D5LE

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 4, 2023

He had some feedback after the sport about the way it felt to return to motion:

“It’s just like the harm by no means occurred…in the event you erased my reminiscence, I wouldn’t know something occurred to my foot.”

Holmgren nonetheless has an opportunity to grow to be one thing particular. The 4 blocks within the recreation in opposition to the Jazz was a powerful efficiency, however not as productive as his 6-block recreation in final yr’s Summer time League. The pattern dimension is small, and the competitors shouldn’t be fairly NBA-level, however the defensive prowess has been apparent up to now.

The Thunder confirmed promise final yr and have one of many youngest rosters within the league to go together with a treasure chest filled with future draft picks. They completed with a file of 40-42 and certified for the play-in event. They’ve Jalen Williams on their roster, who was the runner-up in Rookie of the 12 months voting, and the added manufacturing from Chet Holmgren will definitely be a lift to the rotation.

Talking of Rookie of the 12 months, Holmgren will probably be eligible for the award this yr. He’s presently listed with the third-shortest odds of anybody to take dwelling the {hardware}, behind solely Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson.