While some NBA rookies are nervous entering summer league play, that was far from the case for Chet Holmgren on Tuesday night. Holmgren, who was selected No. 2 in the NBA draft by the Thunder nearly two weeks ago, made a direct impact in his summer league debut against the Jazz.
The seven-foot-one forward scored 13 points in the first nine minutes of the opening quarter that included him going 3-of-4 from beyond the arc with ease. With his unique skill set, size and mobility, Holmgren showed flashes of why the Thunder selected him at No. 2 and what he hopes to continue build on in the NBA.
Holmgren went on to finish with 23 points that includes going 4-of-6 from three-point range and a perfect 5-of-5 from the free throw line to lead Oklahoma City to a 98-77 victory against Utah. He also earned one of his six blocked shots—a new summer league record—against the Jazz’s Tacko Fall as he went up for a layup in the first quarter of the game.
