The Oklahoma City Thunder have followed up their championship season well, currently leading the NBA with a 56-15 record in their title defense.
While last year's MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has produced another efficient season, so too has Chet Holmgren.
Holmgren has been the clear No. 2 option for Oklahoma City this year, as Jalen Williams has missed 45 of the team's 71 games to this point due to injury.
Holmgren has played in 61 contests this year, averaging career-highs with 17.2 points and nine rebounds. He's continued to find success protecting the rim as well, averaging 1.9 blocks, which is tied for second in the league with both Jay Huff (Indiana) and Evan Mobley (Cleveland).
Given his performances over recent seasons, there's reason to believe that Holmgren will be under serious consideration to join Team USA at the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Holmgren recently opened up about the possibility of that opportunity, saying: "I think one of the biggest honors in any sport is being able to represent your country across your chest on that jersey. It’s something that if you do, you can’t take lightly. It has to be an extremely serious thing."
Of all the positions, the United States lacks the most depth in the frontcourt, having recruited Cameroonian center Joel Embiid to represent USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
That said, Holmgren and players like Jalen Duren (Detroit) could become the new wave of U.S. Olympic big men, joining the likes of Bam Adebayo (Miami).
In the meantime, the Thunder will return to action Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers, looking for their 12th consecutive victory.
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