High school basketball: Chet Holmgren named 2020-21 MaxPreps National Player of the Year

Top-ranked senior prospect led Minnehaha Academy Redhawks to its fourth straight state title in Minnesota.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Jordan Divens
By
Apr 13, 2021, 10:30am
Chet Holmgren of Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis) is the 2020-21 MaxPreps National Player of the Year, joining a list of recent winners that includes R.J. Barrett (2018), Cade Cunningham (2020) and Ben Simmons (2015). The top-ranked prospect in the Class of 2021 left no doubt over the weekend after leading his team to the Class AAA state championship in Minnesota.

Holmgren averaged 20.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, 4.7 blocks and 4.5 assists per game, connecting on 80 percent of his attempts from the field. The versatile 7-footer finished his prep career with 1,567 points, 964 rebounds and 456 blocked shots while helping Minnehaha Academy compile a 128-15 record with four state titles during his time with the program.

Last season, Holmgren helped guide the Redhawks to their first MaxPreps Top 25 finish in program history. He was named a first team MaxPreps All-American after averaging 14.6 points, 10 rebounds, 4.9 blocks and 2.4 assists per contest.

A dominant shot blocker and exceptional ballhandler for his size, Holmgren put it all on display as a senior — particularly in Minnehaha Academy's state championship run.
Chet Holmgren is the first from Minnesota to be named MaxPreps National Player of the Year.
Chet Holmgren is the first from Minnesota to be named MaxPreps National Player of the Year.
File photo by Josh Johnson
In a 73-60 Section 4-AAA championship game victory over Totino-Grace, Holmgren finished with 24 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists and three blocked shots.

Holmgren followed with 21 points, nine rebounds and five swatted shots in the quarterfinals against Byron and 25 points and 16 rebounds in a 79-58 semifinal win over DeLaSalle.

In the final game of his high school career, this year's pick for MaxPreps National Player of the Year produced 18 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and two blocks as the Redhawks crushed Alexandria 80-29.

Minnehaha Academy finished the season 20-1 and was ranked No. 8 in the final MaxPreps Top 25 rankings.

Gonzaga is considered the leader to land Holmgren, though Georgetown, Memphis, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina and Ohio State remain in the mix.

Past MaxPreps National Players of the Year
2020 — Cade Cunningham, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
2019 — Sharife Cooper, McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.)
2018 — R.J. Barrett, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
2017 — Michael Porter Jr., Nathan Hale (Seattle)
2016 — Lonzo Ball, Chino Hills (Calif.)
2015 — Ben Simmons, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
2014 — Stanley Johnson, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
2013 — Jabari Parker, Simeon (Chicago)
2012 — Kyle Anderson, St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.)
2011 — Austin Rivers, Winter Park (Fla.)
2010 — Harrison Barnes, Ames (Iowa)
2009 — Derrick Favors, South Atlanta (Atlanta)
2008 — Brandon Jennings, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
2007 — Kevin Love, Lake Oswego (Lake Oswego, Ore.)
2006 — Greg Oden, Lawrence North (Indianapolis)

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