#i have a bulldogs jersey too so it’s safe to say someone will be doing matching costumes w me at some point down the line

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Acquired rivervixens cheer costume 50% off last one in store not technically my size but it fits good enough for my purposes #ThankYouSpiritHalloween

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How Chet Holmgren grew into the No. 1 recruit in men’s college basketball

Why Chet Holmgren is college basketball’s No. 1 recruit and how he fits at Gonzaga.

Chet Holmgren unzipped his sweater to reveal a t-shirt with images of himself in a Gonzaga jersey on the Monday afternoon edition of SportsCenter. The No. 1 overall recruit in the class of 2021 according to ESPN, Rivals, and 247 Sports will head to college to play for a Zags program that just came excruciatingly close to being crowned men’s college basketball first undefeated national champion since Indiana in 1976.

Holmgren is a self-described “6’12 big guard” who established himself as a blue chip prospect during a dominant high school career at Minneapolis’ Minnehaha Academy. Holmgren teamed with Jalen Suggs for his first three years of high school basketball at Minnehaha, and he’s following Suggs’ footsteps again by choosing Gonzaga. Like Suggs, Holmgren is also expected to be a top NBA draft pick after one season in Spokane.

Holmgren is a fascinating talent who will be the most talked about freshman in college basketball next year. A skinny 7-footer, Holmgren likes to handle the ball and shoot three-pointers on offense while establishing himself as an elite shot blocker defensively. While he badly needs to add strength to his frame, Holmgren’s skill set offers a clean translation into the modern game and should be a mismatch nightmare for opponents from day one at the college level.

Before he committed to Gonzaga, we talked to Holmgren’s high school coach Lance Johnson and 247 Sports recruiting analyst Jerry Meyer about his rise to become the top-ranked recruit in the country and what comes next.

A coach’s view of Chet Holmgren

Holmgren and Suggs were teammates long before both enrolled at Minnehaha for their high school years. Holmgren and Suggs played for a youth team coached by Suggs’ father Larry growing up around Minneapolis. Johnson said that once Suggs came to Minnehaha, “it was only a matter of time before Chet did.”

Holmgren had the genes to be a good player from the start. His father Dave played college basketball for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, but his career was severely limited by knee trouble. Johnson remembers Holmgren as a player who was just starting to grow into his body when he entered the program.

“As an eighth grader he was 6’5 and very slight,” Johnson told SB Nation. “You knew he was going to be tall. The one thing you always saw with him is that he was very athletic despite his height, so you could see he was going to be a very good player.

“At one point he was just a shooter. He’s developed now into an all-around player. I think we realized he was going to be very unique his sophomore year.”

Before his sophomore year, Holmgren had just two scholarship offers. His profile started to grow following a standout state tournament run at Minnehaha and strong showing on the grassroots circuit playing with Suggs on the Under Armour-backed squad Team Sizzle.

Holmgren had done enough to earn an invitation to Stephen Curry’s SC Select Camp, and that’s where he truly blew up. A clip of Holmgren crossing over Curry and finishing with a dunk racked up millions of views on social media. Suddenly, Holmgren was a buzz-worthy name who was forcing his way to the very top of recruiting rankings.

7 footer Chet Holmgren hit Steph Curry with the SAUCE and then dunked it! #SC30Select @ChetHolmgren @StephenCurry30 pic.twitter.com/xjHZxb4bus

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) August 6, 2019

Minnehaha’s 2020 season was interrupted by the pandemic and ended Holmgren’s junior year and Suggs’ senior year just before the state tournament. Minnehaha would now be Holmgren’s team, and Johnson and the rest of his staff knew they would have to lean into their star’s special gifts.

If you watched Minnehaha play this season, you often saw Holmgren bringing up the ball after made baskets or trying trying to beat his man off the bounce when he caught the ball on the perimeter. Holmgren shared ball handling duties with Hercy and Mercy Miller — the sons of rap star Master P — throughout his senior year, which was a notable change from how he had been used before.

“With Jalen, Jalen basically dominated the ball,” Johnson said. “Now we’re a team that plays point guard by committee, so (Chet) plays it alongside our other point guard Hercy Miller. We just find when Chet has a big guy on him, why not let Chet bring it up and take the pressure off the other guards? Chet’s a better ball handler and usually quicker and faster than the big guy guarding him.”

There was a time when a high school big man with Holmgren’s size would have been told to get in the post, and wouldn’t have been allowed to handle and shoot as often as he does. In that sense, Holmgren is rising up the basketball ranks at the perfect time. He should be able to space the floor his teammates on offense as a spot-up shooter while also having the ability to take his man off the dribble and get to the rim. To Johnson, this is the player Holmgren has always been meant to be.

“I don’t think we made a conscious decision to create a player that fits today’s world,” Johnson said. “We are just playing off Chet’s talents. The changing world of basketball is probably part of the reason why Chet’s rated as high as he is. That’s a hot commodity having a stretch four or a big guy who can ball handle and shoot. He’s kind of entering his prime in the next few years at the right time.”

Chet Holmgren’s scouting report

Jerry Meyer of 247 Sports can’t recall a player quite like Holmgren during a lifetime spent around the game (Meyer retired as college basketball’s all-time leader in assists, so he knows what he’s talking about). While there are several players talented enough to be ranked No. 1 overall in the high school class of 2021, Meyer said Holmgren’s combination of production and physical tools helped him grab the top spot in 247’s rankings.

“He’s such a unique prospect,” Meyer told SB Nation. “You look at the numbers he’s putting up, his ability to stretch the defense, put the ball on the floor, his shot blocking. He does things other players can’t do. It’s kind of hard not to put him No. 1.”

Holmgren is listed at 7’1, 195 pounds, but his offensive skill set is far more diverse than most players with this size. Holmgrem is a face-up big man who likes to attack the defense by putting the ball on the floor. He does a good job keeping his dribble low the ground for someone with his size, and his immense length helps him finish at the rim once he gets close. Holmgren is also an impressive shooter for his size with range out past the three-point line. While he doesn’t look anything like a traditional low post center on offense, his skill set makes for a fascinating translation to the modern game.

“He’s more of a face-up player than a back to the basket player,” Meyer said. “He’s in the mold of modern day stretch-five men.”

Meyer said Holmgren is one of the more intriguing shot blockers he’s scouted at the high school level. Holmgren has a natural timing on his blocks that can’t be taught. He will often block multiple shots on the same possession as teams go for put-backs and second chance opportunities. Meyer has also been impressed by his ability to block jump shots while closing out on shooters.

“He is actively seeking to block your shot on the defensive end, he’s not waiting for it to come to him,” Meyer said. “He blocks a lot of shots away from the basket. I think he’s extraordinary in the ground he covers as a help defender.”

NBA scouts will want to see if Holmgren is quick enough to defend on the perimeter at the college level, and if he can maintain his quickness as he begins the long process of adding muscle to his frame. Teams will wonder if his terrific shot blocking skills can hold up against drives from more powerful guards who can initiate and absorb contact at the rim. His three-point shooting will also be something to monitor as a freshman: Holmgren has always shown an ability to shoot, but it’s hard to say with much confidence where his volume and accuracy will be at when he arrives at Gonzaga.

For now, Holmgren is projected to be a floor spacer and pick-and-pop weapon in the front court on offense who can also make plays off the bounce. He should be an instant impact defender at the college level even if NBA scouts are able to nitpick flaws.

How Chet Holmgren fits at Gonzaga

We know that Gonzaga is losing Suggs, Joel Ayayi, and Corey Kispert from the team that started 31-0 before losing to Baylor in the national championship game. The Bulldogs will hope that guard Andrew Nembhard and center Drew Timme return as holdovers from last year to anchor the starting lineup. Add Anton Watson to the mix as well as a promising 6’8 rising junior big who carved out a rotation spot last season.

Gonzaga already had one blue chip recruit in the fold before Holmgren committed. Hunter Sallis, a 6’5 combo guard out of Nebraska, gave his pledge to the Bulldogs at the end of March as the No. 13 overall recruit in his class, per ESPN.

Gonzaga could start Nembhard at point, Sallis at the two, Holmgren at the four, and Timme at the five. Dominick Harris and Julian Strawther, two sparsely used freshmen last year who ranked as top-60 recruits coming into the program, should also compete for the starting spot. Don’t forget about 6’7 forward Ben Gregg, either.

A Timme-Holmgren front court would be the talk of college basketball going into next year. While it’s still too early to know exactly what Gonzaga’s roster will look like, you can bet Holmgren is featured heavily all season.

Where will Chet Holmgren get drafted?

Holmgren is currently projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by ESPN.

We’ll say Holmgren is a safe bet to be selected around the top-five, but there are a few other prospects in his class who could come out ahead of him. Paolo Banchero. a 6’10 forward headed to Duke, is our early favorite to be the top pick in 2022. Other names to keep an eye on in the top five include Duke-bound wing Adrian Griffin Jr., UCLA-bound wing Peyton Watson, 6’11 sharpshooter Patrick Baldwin, and Michigan-bound forward Caleb Houstan.

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THE TOP WHATEVER: Georgia will destroy you without even reaching the 2nd page in the playbook

Ranking only the college football teams that absolutely must be ranked at this time.

AS ALWAYS, WE BEGIN WITH UNDEFEATED TEAMS THAT ACTUALLY PLAYED FOOTBALL THIS WEEKEND.

1. Georgia.

The best way to show the size of the giant asskicking pile the Georgia Bulldogs amassed in a 42-7 win over Florida: start with one small point. Jake Fromm, Georgia’s redshirt freshman quarterback, threw seven passes, not in one quarter, not in a half, but for the entire length of one regulation football game against a conference opponent and hated rival.

Unless you are Navy or another triple option team, let me tell you what throwing seven times in a 42-7 win means. It means one team beat the other team’s ass so badly, they didn’t even have to get up off the couch to do it. It means Georgia saw Florida getting Georgia’s last beer out of the fridge, and without really waking up, winged the remote control all the way across the house and into Florida’s temple. The remote control came flying back like the hammer of Thor, of course.

Note: This is the only superpower I can see any Georgia fan really wanting that doesn’t involve golf.

This meant that without even looking at the rest of the box score or watching the game, the Bulldogs probably ran the ball at will. (They did, for 292 yards and 4 TDs.)

It meant that at no point did the Georgia defense allow the Gators’ offense to change the pace. (They did not. Florida’s putrid offense flailed so badly that it might have contributed significantly to firing Florida’s head coach.)

I don’t think it’s just because they play in the burnt-out shell of what used to be the SEC East and are the last unvandalized mansion on the block. Georgia is 8-0 because it’s ridiculously disciplined, well-coached, and unlike a thousand other teams in the country, build around its ingredients.

The Bulldogs have two outstanding running backs and a young QB. Guess what they do? They run the ball with those two backs, block well, and don’t ask Fromm to do too much yet. The Georgia defense? Y’all, just watch how they read and react, and see what simple, systematic teaching can do to free up defenders to make plays without getting too deep in their own heads.

They’re smart. That’s a word the entire state of Georgia has a problematic relationship with, but the truth is that this isn’t UGA’s full potential. This is an intelligent, managed team playing clean, brutal football.

P.S. I don’t even think this team is much more talented than a lot of the teams they face yet. The bulk of what Georgia could be is still in the mail, growing in the weight room in the form of incoming recruiting classes and underclassmen. Doubt this, and ask yourself why Florida tossed Jim McElwain on the curb, free to a good home, and why Tennessee is going to rehome Butch Jones any day now. This is good, but there is much more coming, and everyone in the SEC East knows it.

2. Iowa State Wario.

Iowa State has two losses, so by the standards of the Top Whatever, they can’t make the undefeated rankings. But you know who can? IOWA STATE WARIO.

Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images

THEY’RE A-GONNA WIN

So much came together here:

the extremely smart hiring of Matt Campbell from Toledo

an historic upset of TCU in Ames, the second time an undefeated team has tussled with the Clones and come away bloodied

the decision made by this fan to not only dress up as the finest Nintendo character ever for Halloween,

but the EXCELLENT decision to wear that costume to the game and then onto the field in celebration

and the photographer, David Purdy, realizing the greatness of this moment.

3. Miami.

Tighter win than expected in a 24-19 victory over UNC, but remember: Miami is the kind of team where every game sort of comes out to 24-19, no matter the opponent.

The things to be concerned about remain the things to feel good about. The Hurricanes can’t run the ball, so they have to rely on QB Malik Rosier for production. Rosier put up 350 yards and two TDs in a win, so it continues to be a strength.

The Miami defense gave up 27 first downs to North Carolina, continuing a streak of allowing opposing offenses to move the chains on the Canes. On the other hand, the Miami defense forced four turnovers and is riding a serious streak of turnover luck, soooo ...

Here we are, pointing out that Miami seems to be 2017’s Lucky But Also Good Team, and that’s fine. Miami’s 7-0 and winning where it counts: on the scoreboard and in the standings. The Canes are not just good enough to make opposing coaches mad, but make them mad at the otherwise completely inoffensive Mark Richt.

Hmmmm... Guessing Mark Richt and Larry Fedora won't be sharing the holidays together.. #UNC #Miami http://pic.twitter.com/98YEaKvOpM

— Dave Ross (@drosssports) October 28, 2017

P.S. I hope Richt told Larry Fedora to “stay blessed.” That would be 10 times more infuriating than any profanity he could have thrown back at him.

4. Wisconsin.

24-10 over poor, poor Illinois. Warning: The footage below may be too erotic for some readers.

BIG MAN TOUCHDOWN‼️ @MichaelDeiter! #OnWisconsin http://pic.twitter.com/3ceKTVdsv3

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) October 28, 2017

You: Wisconsin’s schedule is weak, and they’re not overly impressive

Me: 8-0, and an offensive lineman reminded the world what real joy is. Also, no one has to worry about justifying a thing with Wisconsin. They win in the Big Ten Championship Game and they’re in; they lose, and they’re out, via some pretty comfortable justifications regarding that strength of schedule.

Also, why are you bringing up stuff they can’t control, and not appreciating the fine, fat-dude thuggery of this team’s excellence? All Wisconsin wants to do is drop that ass on other teams’ heads for four hours. Let them revel in their plodding greatness before tangling them up with the Ohio States of the world.

5. UCF.

Beat FCS Austin Peay, 73-33. It’s a cupcake game, but thankfully someone still believes in testing to see whether all the numbers work on the scoreboard. UCF is now the only undefeated non-power team after USF lost to Houston. If the Knights win out, they’ll be that team looking to blindside someone in a New Year’s Day bowl.

DID NOT PLAY THIS WEEK BUT IS PROBABLY THE REAL NUMBER ONE. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT I DO NOT RANK TEAMS THAT DID NOT PLAY, ALABAMA FANS WHO WILL EMAIL ANYWAY

Alabama. Probably the best team in the nation, but also definitely on a bye. Nick Saban definitely spent it horsewhipping his staff into watching 70 hours of footage of LSU’s jet sweeps.

ONE-LOSS TEAMS TO CONSIDER FOR PLAYOFF-TYPE THINGS

Notre Dame. Disassembled NC State, 35-14.

This is a safe space. Admit how fun it is to watch Notre Dame lean on teams until they collapse. Talk about how satisfying it can be to watch Josh Adams run the ball. Okay, don’t talk about that one too much, because Irish fans will flood your mentions about how you’re not respecting Adams enough, even though you’re talking about how good he is? (I don’t know, the Yankees are out of baseball’s postseason, and Duke basketball has started yet, and they’re bored or something.)

It’s not aerial circus pretty. But beauty takes a lot of forms, reader, and it’s important to appreciate them all.

Blocking is fun too .. http://pic.twitter.com/QOy9j4rRWa

— Chase Claypool (@ChaseClaypool) October 30, 2017

That’s mean and admirable, but the real story is the Irish defense. They held NC State to a piddling 50 yards on the ground and harassed talented Wolfpack QB Ryan Finley into irrelevance for much of the game.

For those just remembering that they are Notre Dame fans: Talk about the underrated defense, and hold off on buying that Warriors jersey for a few weeks, and you’ll continue to pass as a Real Human Sports Fan for a bit longer.

Oklahoma. Beat Texas Tech, 49-27. Hopes Iowa State beats everyone for the rest of the regular season, frankly, and doesn’t care who knows it.

Ohio State. Handed Penn State its first loss in a 39-38 thriller. J.T. Barrett went 13-for-13 in the fourth quarter for 170 yards and three TDs and was evidently the best passer in the history of college football for a while. I can’t say for sure that Barrett in that game wasn’t the greatest quarterback to ever play football, and neither can you.

Clemson. 24-10 over Georgia Tech. Hey, QB Kelly Bryant seems to be moving just fine, and that’s nothing but good news for the Tigers’ prospects as they get back into the ACC and Playoff race.

Oklahoma State. Winners, 50-39, over West Virginia, and with Bedlam coming up this week, have a lot in their control re: further ambitions.

Washington. Ran the ball a whopping 58 times against UCLA in a 44-23 win because ... because they could? Yes, because they could. See all comments about Georgia above for what that means about a team in a non-triple option context.

Virginia Tech. If they want to startle some people after a workmanlike, 24-3 win over Duke, beating an undefeated Miami and taking control of the ACC Coastal this coming week would be the way to do that.

TEAMS THAT LOST THEIR FIRST GAME THIS WEEK. PUT IT ON THE TRAILER, TAKE IT TO THE GARAGE, AND COME BACK NEXT WEEK

TCU. A 14-7 loss to Iowa State in Ames is a way more respectable way to fall off the wagon than it used to be, TCU. Take some consolation in that, and the rest of your schedule, which should keep you in contention for all kinds of things.

USF. Don’t watch how USF lost this game 28-24 to Houston. Just know that the Bulls gave up a fourth-and-24 pass for a first down on the final drive, then watched Houston QB D’Eriq King run 20 yards untouched for the winning TD. BAD. IT WAS VERY BAD FOR EVERYONE BUT HOUSTON TO WATCH. LIKE A CAR CRASH YOU SAW COMING BUT COULD NOT SCREAM TO WARN ANYONE ABOUT.

Penn State. Not their fault they lost 39-38; played best college football quarterback ever of the week.