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Chet Holmgren has lived up to the hype in his professional debut in the NBA summer league with a record-breaking performance.
Holmgren, who was taken by the Oklahoma City Thunder at second behind Paolo Banchero in the NBA Draft a fortnight ago, scored 23 points with seven rebounds and four assists in a 98-77 win over the Utah Jazz.
The Gonzaga center impressed with a history-making record for blocks and three-pointers in a game, becoming the first player in summer league history to record at least five blocks and hit four three-pointers.
Holmgren finished with six blocks and shot four-of-six from beyond the arc in 24 minutes.
“Shout out to my teammates for setting me up, talking to me, just putting me in position to be successful,” Holmgren told ESPN after the game.
Holmgren’s Australian teammate Josh Giddey, who was a Rookie of the Year contender last season after going at pick six, praised the seven-footer who is generating plenty of hype.
“The hype that he came in with, the way he played tonight was big for us,” Giddey said.
“Being a high pick like that, there’s a lot of pressure coming in, and he handled it as good as he could have.
“It makes my job easy playing with someone like him. He can stretch the floor, finish at the rim. He protects me, he’s got my back on the defensive end. So love playing with him.
“It’s been one game, and the chemistry’s only getting stronger.”
