Thunder coach explains why Chet Holmgren is like a praying mantis

Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault may have given budding star Chet Holmgren his new nickname, whether he likes it or not.

While praising Holmgren's abilities across the board, Daigneault specifically pointed to one thing that "really jumped out" initially, as ESPN's Tim MacMahon revealed.

"The first impression I had of him that really jumped out, I'd probably take it for granted now, is his closing speed on balls," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said of Holmgren. "There's plays that you don't think he can get to, and then it's like he's a praying mantis. He is just on top of the ball out of nowhere."

It's a pretty perfect nickname for Holmgren, especially considering his numbers through three games this season. Not only has the 22-year-old averaged 23.7 points and 13.0 rebounds per game, but also 4.0 blocks and 1.3 steals, improved from 2023-24.

Holmgren's minutes are also up in the early stages of the year, as he averaged 29.4 per game last season and 32.7 through three games this year. Potentially, the most noteworthy statistic for Holmgren is that he's attempting 4.4 shots more per game on average but has shot better from the field (53.0 percent last year to 56.3 percent this year).

If there's one player to highlight as a potential name ready to make the superstar "leap," Holmgren is a strong bet this season.