MaxPreps National Player of the Year
Chet Holmgren of
Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis) announced Monday he will attend Gonzaga University next season, as the versatile 7-foot center looks to help get the Bulldogs over the hump to capture the program's first state championship.
"The process was hard," Holmgren said on ESPN. "I had a lot to learn on
the go. I had to lean on others and get their advice. My dad went
through it, and coach Larry Suggs with Jalen. I kept getting consistent
advice that I will get a feeling when I know. Not to over-analyze
everything because everything sounds good. Nobody sells their weakness."
It's been a busy past two weeks for Holmgren, who led the Redhawks to their fourth consecutive state championship on April 10, tallying 18 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and two blocks as Minnehaha crushed Alexandria 80-29.
The future Bulldog averaged 20.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, 4.7
blocks and 4.5 assists, connecting on 80 percent of his
attempts from the field this season. Last season, Holmgren helped guide the Redhawks to their first MaxPreps
Top 25 finish, while also being named a first team
MaxPreps Junior All-American after averaging 14.6 points, 10 rebounds, 4.9 blocks and
2.4 assists.
The versatile 7-footer finished his prep career
with 1,567 points, 964 rebounds and 456 blocked
shots as Minnehaha Academy compiled a 128-15 record with four
state titles.
Regarded as the top prospect in the Class of 2021 according to
247Sports, Holmgren chose Gonzaga over Georgetown, Memphis, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina and Ohio State.
Chet Holmgren was part of four state championship teams at Minnehaha Academy going back to his eighth grade year.
Photo by Josh Johnson
