From Minnehaha Academy to NBA Glory: Chet Holmgren’s Journey Comes Full Circle with Thunder’s Championship Triumph

The basketball world watched with admiration as Chet Holmgren, the lanky 7-footer from Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis, etched his name into NBA history by winning a championship with the Oklahoma City Thunder. For those who knew Holmgren long before the bright lights of the NBA Finals, the moment was more than a professional achievement — it was the culmination of years of dedication, sacrifice, and relentless belief.

As the Thunder clinched the title in a dramatic six-game series against the Boston Celtics, Holmgren’s former coaches and teammates from Minnehaha Academy reflected on his remarkable rise, recalling a young player whose determination always outshone the doubters questioning his unconventional frame.

“It’s surreal, honestly,” said Lance Johnson, Holmgren’s high school coach at Minnehaha Academy. “I still remember him as that skinny kid in the gym, staying after practice to shoot hundreds of free throws, determined to get better every single day.”

Holmgren’s story has always been one of defying expectations. Growing up in Minnesota, where hockey often dominates the athletic conversation, basketball prodigies like him weren’t exactly commonplace. Yet, from an early age, it was clear Holmgren possessed a unique set of tools. His extraordinary height combined with guard-like skills set him apart.

Former Minnehaha teammate Jalen Suggs, now with the Orlando Magic, played alongside Holmgren for years. The two built a formidable duo that terrorized high school competition, culminating in multiple state championships. Suggs, who was in attendance during the Thunder’s Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets, couldn’t help but marvel at how far his close friend had come.

“I’ve known Chet since we were kids hooping at the park,” Suggs said. “We always dreamed about playing at the highest level, winning titles. To see him do it — man, it’s crazy. But if anyone deserves it, it’s him.”

Holmgren’s path to NBA success wasn’t without adversity. After being selected second overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2022 NBA Draft, hopes were sky-high. But just months later, a Lisfranc injury during a pro-am game sidelined him for his entire rookie season. Critics questioned whether his wiry frame could withstand the NBA’s physicality. Holmgren, however, never flinched.

Those who knew him best weren’t surprised by his resilience.

“Chet’s been doubted his whole life,” Johnson recalled. “People looked at him and saw skinny. We looked at him and saw heart, work ethic, and skill. Injuries happen, but I knew he’d come back stronger.”

That’s precisely what happened. Holmgren returned for the 2023-2024 season, and his impact was immediate. He bolstered Oklahoma City’s already promising young core, showcasing his defensive prowess with elite rim protection while stretching the floor with smooth three-point shooting. His versatility made him a matchup nightmare and cemented his place among the league’s rising stars.

As the Thunder advanced through the playoffs, knocking off powerhouses like the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets, Holmgren’s performances grew bolder. During the Western Conference Finals against Denver, he posted multiple double-doubles and delivered clutch defensive plays, including a pivotal block on Nikola Jokić in Game 5 that swung momentum in Oklahoma City’s favor.

Watching from Minnesota, his former coaches and teammates weren’t surprised by his poise on the biggest stage.

“He’s always had that edge,” said Kyle Johnson, a former teammate from Minnehaha. “He might not be the loudest guy, but when it’s go time, Chet locks in. He’s a competitor. Seeing him go up against the best in the world and holding his own? That’s the Chet we know.”

Beyond the statistics and accolades, Holmgren’s journey resonated with many young athletes — particularly those who, like him, have been overlooked because they didn’t fit conventional molds. In Minneapolis, he remains a hometown hero, frequently returning to Minnehaha Academy to speak with students, host clinics, and remind them that greatness often comes in unexpected packages.

Holmgren’s high school coach emphasized that his humility and connection to his roots never wavered, even as his NBA star ascended.

“Chet’s never forgotten where he came from,” Johnson said. “He’s the same kid who’d stay after practice, the same kid who helped set up chairs before games. Fame hasn’t changed that.”

The Thunder’s championship marked the franchise’s first since relocating to Oklahoma City, and Holmgren’s fingerprints were all over their historic run. In the Finals, he averaged 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game, anchoring the defense while complementing superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s scoring brilliance.

Following the final buzzer, as confetti rained down and teammates embraced, Holmgren stood near center court, soaking in the moment. Cameras captured him FaceTiming his parents, who had supported his dream since his youth basketball days.

“I wouldn’t be here without them,” Holmgren told reporters. “The sacrifices they made, the belief they had in me — this is for them, for my coaches, my teammates, my city.”

Back in Minneapolis, Minnehaha Academy hosted a watch party for the Finals, with students, faculty, and alumni filling the gym where Holmgren once dominated high school opponents. The walls still bear photographs from those championship years, with Holmgren’s lanky figure towering over defenders, foreshadowing the impact he would one day have on a global stage.

“It gives our kids hope,” Johnson explained. “They see someone from their own halls, their own classrooms, achieving the impossible. Chet’s story reminds them that dreams aren’t just for other people — they’re for anyone willing to work for them.”

As the celebrations in Oklahoma City continued, Holmgren’s reflections remained grounded. For all the doubters he proved wrong, his biggest takeaway was a simple yet profound reminder of persistence.

“Nothing worth having comes easy,” he said during his postgame interview. “I’ve had highs, I’ve had setbacks, but I never stopped believing. That’s the message I want young players to hear — believe in yourself, even when no one else does.”

For Minnehaha Academy and the community that nurtured his potential, Chet Holmgren’s championship was more than just a victory — it was validation. A testament to resilience, hard work, and unwavering faith in one’s abilities.

And as the newly crowned NBA champion hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy, it wasn’t just Oklahoma City celebrating — it was Minneapolis, Minnehaha Academy, and every underdog who’s ever been told they weren’t enough. Because with belief and relentless work, even the skinniest kid in the gym can rise to the top of the basketball world.