Chet Thomas Holmgren is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A 7-foot-1 center-forward known for his shot-blocking, perimeter shooting, and unusual ball-handling ability for a player of his size, Holmgren emerged as one of the most prominent young players in American basketball in the early 2020s.
Holmgren was born on May 1, 2002, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Dave Holmgren and Sarah Harris. He was raised in an athletic family as the middle child and only son, with two sisters, Claire and Alexandra. His father, Dave Holmgren, was a 7-foot center who played college basketball at the University of Minnesota in the 1980s and later became known for recording his son’s games with a personal camcorder from the time Chet was in sixth grade. His mother, Sarah Harris, played a quieter but significant role in his career, including during the decision-making process after his early professional injury.
Holmgren’s Jewish background comes through his maternal family. According to The Canadian Jewish News, his mother, Sarah Harris, is the daughter of Ray Harris, a Minneapolis developer whose celebration of life was held at Temple Israel Minneapolis, a Reform synagogue. The report traced the family line to Holmgren’s great-grandfather, Leo Harris, described as a Polish Jewish immigrant, and noted additional evidence of Jewish identity within the Harris family. The same report stated that Holmgren is ethnically and halachically Jewish, while also noting that he has not publicly spoken in detail about whether he personally identifies as Jewish.
Holmgren attended Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis, where he became one of the top high school basketball prospects in the United States. In 2021, he was named National High School Player of the Year, reflecting his combination of elite defense, guard-like skills, and unusual mobility for his height.
He played one season of college basketball at Gonzaga University during the 2021-22 season. As a freshman, Holmgren averaged 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game. He was named West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, earned consensus second-team All-American honors, and helped Gonzaga win the WCC championship and reach the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
The Oklahoma City Thunder selected Holmgren with the second overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. His professional debut was delayed after he suffered a Lisfranc injury, which kept him out of the entire 2022-23 season. During that period, he remained with the organization and later participated in USA Basketball’s Select Team training camp.
Holmgren made his NBA debut in the 2023-24 season and quickly established himself as a major part of Oklahoma City’s young core. He set Thunder rookie records for blocked shots, became one of the league’s most productive rookie defenders, and earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors after averaging 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game.
In the 2024-25 season, Holmgren continued to develop as a two-way player for the Thunder, contributing as a rim protector, rebounder, and floor-spacing big man. His rise placed him among the NBA’s leading young frontcourt players and brought broader attention to his family background, including his Jewish heritage.
Sources: “Chet Holmgren,” AAE.
“Chet Holmgren,” NBA.
“Chet Holmgren’s Family: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know,” heavy.com, (June 5, 2025).
“The NBA has a new Jewish All-Star: Chet Holmgren,” The Canadian Jewish News, (May 28, 2026).
Photo: Steve Cheng, Bruin Report Online, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.