Chet Holmgren Showing All-Time Appeal as NBA Rookie

Heading into the 2023-24 NBA regular season, all eyes were on Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.

And while Wembanyama’s numbers have been downright guady in their own right, Thunder center Chet Holmgren has been the star of the show.

Averages of 17.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.7 blocks per game will do that. But his defensive impact and efficiency — 54% overall, 41% from three and 83% from the line — coupled with the white-hot Thunder’s 23-9 record, are aiding a rookie season for the ages.

His defensive impact is so good, in fact, that he now ranks second per oddsmakers for the Defensive Player of the Year Award.

A season like Holmgren's — marked by his team-altering defense, efficient offense and the team’s now 23-9 record — hasn't been seen for many, many years.

There’s of course been prolific rookie seasons of late. Luka Doncic essentially averaged 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists en route to a historic season. Ben Simmons featured similar production. And players like Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins and others put up great cases.

But to find the level of efficiency and defense in Holmgren’s output on a nightly basis, you’ll likely have to throw it all the way back to Spurs legend and eventual NBA champion Tim Duncan, who averaged 21.1 points on 55% shooting while adding 2.5 blocks per game.

That very same season, the Spurs cruised to a 56-26 record. Funnily enough, Oklahoma City is currently on pace for just shy of 60 wins.

And best of all for OKC, Holmgren's current pace is more than sustainable due to the gravity of players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. Even more, Holmgren could probably stand to siphon even more shot attempts from others as time passes.

And while he isn't likely to grab the first-ever rookie Defensive Player of the Year Award, or potentially make the All-Star team in his first season, those awards will certainly come around soon.

We’re likely getting semantical when it comes to comparing Holmgren to the top rookies in year’s past. But there’s no question what he’s done through 32 games so far has been nothing short of special.