Chet Holmgren’s Jaw-Dropping High School Highlights: How the 7-Foot Phenom Took Over Prep Basketball

Oklahoma City Thunder rookie center Chet Holmgren returns to Minnesota this week with the Western Conference Finals spotlight shining brightly, but long before NBA arenas started chanting his name, the 7-foot-1 “unicorn” became a legend inside a modest red-and-white gym at Minnehaha Academy. Holmgren’s High-School Dominance • Four straight Class 2A state championships (2018-2021) • Senior averages: 20.8 ppg, 12.6 rpg, 4.5 bpg • National awards: Gatorade National Player of the Year, Naismith Trophy, McDonald’s All-American From his freshman season, Holmgren anchored a lineup that also featured future Gonzaga and Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs. Together the duo turned Minneapolis-based Minnehaha into a national destination for prep-basketball scouts, ESPN broadcasters and viral-video creators. Clips of Holmgren blocking five shots in a single possession or handling the ball coast-to-coast racked up millions of views, reinforcing his reputation as the top prospect in the 2021 class. Jersey Retirement Cemented the Legacy In January 2024, less than three years removed from graduation, Minnehaha Academy raised Holmgren’s No. 34 to the rafters. Thunder teammates Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams made the surprise trip to celebrate the ceremony, a testament to how quickly the rookie made an impact at the professional level and how deeply his roots still run in Minnesota. Why “Chet Holmgren high school” Is Trending Again 1. Playoff Homecoming: Oklahoma City is facing the Timberwolves, giving Holmgren his first NBA postseason games back in his home state. 2. Flashback Highlights: Social media accounts are resurfacing his most jaw-dropping high-school plays—like crossing over Stephen Curry at a summer camp or hitting step-back threes as a 16-year-old. 3. Comparative Storylines: Analysts are drawing parallels between Holmgren’s wire-thin high-school frame and his current ability to absorb playoff physicality. Scouting Evolution From Prep Star to NBA Rookie • Shot-Blocking: Holmgren’s instinctive rim protection translated seamlessly; he ranked top-10 in blocks per game this season. • Three-Point Range: The smooth release he honed at Minnehaha now stretches NBA defenses beyond 25 feet. • Playmaking: His guard-like vision—nurtured by AAU coach Brian Sandifer—allows Thunder lineups to operate five-out without sacrificing size. Quotes From Those Who Saw It First Dave Thorson, former DeLaSalle coach who faced Holmgren in multiple state tournaments: “Chet’s timing was freakish in high school. You’d think you had a layup, then that wingspan just erased it.” Minnehaha Athletic Director Josh Thurow: “What people forget is that Chet loved winning more than mixtapes. He’d dive on the floor up 30.” Minnesota Roots Fueling NBA Dreams Holmgren grew up in North Minneapolis, commuting daily to Minnehaha’s campus on the city’s south side. The grind, he says, toughened him mentally long before he added muscle in Oklahoma City’s weight room. “Every banner up there reminds me why I play,” Holmgren told reporters after shoot-around at Target Center this week. “Those years built my confidence.” What’s Next If the Thunder advance, Holmgren will become the first player from a Minnesota high school to start in the NBA Finals since Khalid El-Amin won a title with the Bulls in 2001. Regardless of the series outcome, Minnehaha’s retired jersey and packed trophy case ensure that his high-school legacy remains the foundation of every new milestone. Search interest may spike with every block and buzzer-beater he delivers, but for Minnesota basketball fans, the name “Chet Holmgren” will always be synonymous with the magical run that began under the bright lights of a high-school gym on West River Parkway.