(Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
The Oklahoma City Thunder are one of the most exciting teams in the NBA and Chet Holmgren is one of the biggest reasons why.
Holmgren is coming off of a great first season that saw him become the runner-up for Rookie of the Year.
His team’s success speaks for itself and Holmgren’s stats also impress.
StatMuse recently tweeted the highest +/- ratings by a rookie since 1997.
Sitting at the top is Tim Duncan, who had +429 for the San Antonio Spurs.
After him is Holmgren with +422, followed by Ben Simmons with +387, and Donovan Mitchell with +357.
That is an incredible feat for Holmgren, who is only getting started.
Highest +/- by a rookie (since 1997):
+429 — Tim Duncan
+422 — Chet Holmgren
+387 — Ben Simmons
+357 — Donovan Mitchell
Only two of them won ROTY. pic.twitter.com/4aVA3SgBjj
— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 11, 2024
As noted by StatMuse, only two of those stars were able to win Rookie of the Year.
Holmgren was in the running for much of the season but then San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama took control of that race and easily won the prize.
Duncan and Simmons were also named Rookie of the Year during their first seasons.
The Thunder had to wait for Holmgren, who sat out of the 2022-23 season because of an injury.
But he made up for lost time in 2023-24, averaging 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.
He also posted an amazing 53% from the field, a stunning percentage that is rarely eclipsed by rookies.
For a number of reasons, Holmgren is viewed as one of the best parts of his team.
There are other great players on the roster, of course, and that is why they were the best in the West with a 57-25 record.
Holmgren did terrific things during his rookie year and now fans are eager to see how much he can grow in his second season.
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