NBA DRAFT

June 23, 2022

Chet Holmgren

Q. Congratulations, dream came true today. How does it feel to live this dream right now with all the emotion going through your mind?

CHET HOLMGREN: Yeah, it's a mix of emotions, probably a thousand emotions, all good ones. You know, I don't really have words to describe them, but I'm so blessed and grateful to be able to be here. I'm ready to compete. I'm ready to go play.

Q. What can you say about the dynamic of OKC and what you look to bring your rookie year?

CHET HOLMGREN: I think it's a great situation, great dynamic, playing with guys like Josh and Shai, as well as everybody down the roster. It's a lot of great players there with unique skill sets. I feel like I can kind of pair up with them and help enhance theirs as well as have their skill sets enhance mine.

Q. What do you think you bring in an area now that there's more space, not as many zones? How do you think your game translates to the NBA on both ends?

CHET HOLMGREN: On both ends. I'll start on defense. On defense, I can use my length and my quickness to cover a lot of ground and take up space. There's more space to take up, obviously, but I feel like I can still take up a great deal of space on defense, both vertically and horizontally, sliding my feet as well as protecting the rim.

And on offense, OKC plays a very five-out style of basketball. There's a lot of space, especially in the paint to get to the basket or draw two defenders or drive and kick, find guys who are open. Like you said, a lot more space, and it opens up.

Q. What's the first thing you're going to buy with your NBA paycheck and who are you looking forward to playing against?

CHET HOLMGREN: I haven't really thought about that yet, as far as -- I'll probably end up buying a place to live. That will probably be the first thing.

But playing against, it will be special to share the court with Jalen (Suggs) again. Obviously, we won't be wearing the same jersey, but to share the court with him would be special and to compete with him. Again, even though we are not on the same team, it will be a great day.

Q. I have to admit I didn't know that much about college basketball with the Draft, so I was reading a lot of mock drafts. Chet Holmgren, he's too thin, he's not ready for the NBA. Do you read the mock drafts? Is it the kind of thing where all the negative stuff you can easily put out, or is it motivation or do you ignore the whole thing?

CHET HOLMGREN: Yeah, I have a lot of motivations myself. I'm very intrinsically motivated. I wake up every day with a plan on how to make myself a better person, better basketball player. I put so much effort into executing that, that it doesn't really leave room to put effort into things that, one, I can't control, and two, don't help make me better.

I tune a lot of that stuff out. I do see it here and there, but at the end of the day, I put no effort toward it.

Q. I know I just asked you about the Thunder's rebuild, but how have you viewed that from an outside perspective and what have you thought about their process of compiling all of these picks and young talent like yourself?

CHET HOLMGREN: I think and what I saw, speaking to personnel in the organization, and on my visit, they have a great organization as well as a great vision going forward. I'd say compiling the draft picks and all that is part of vision. Taking it one step at a time is important, especially for myself.

You know, over time, that vision should pay off.

Q. Did you have an expectation of what would happen today when you woke up this morning? Did it go as planned from getting here to hearing your name called, the whole day and night?

CHET HOLMGREN: Yeah, I try to live with as few expectations as possible, so I can just completely be in the moment. That's one of the biggest things that I've tried to do today and one of the biggest pieces of advice I've gotten from many different people. Stay in the moment, soak it all in because it goes quick, and you can't relive it.

I've been 100 percent in the moment going with the flow today, and look where we are.

Q. How did it feel going from Gonzaga to right here now, and what are you most looking forward to over the next few months?

CHET HOLMGREN: It's definitely crazy. The lights don't get much brighter than this. You know, coming from a smaller place like Spokane and Gonzaga. But it reminds me, like the Oklahoma fan base and community, it me reminds me a lot of Gonzaga, our community. Super rowdy fans that are diehard for their organization. I'm proud to represent them.

Q. I'm interested in your fashion sense. NBA Draft is usually when everyone kind of goes all-out with their outfits. How did you decide what to wear? And another question is which NBA player's fashion sense do you appreciate or like?

CHET HOLMGREN: I definitely appreciate my new teammate Shai. He's got the drip, for sure.

We were just talking about over there how much competition I have now on the NBA tunnel walk-throughs. So it should be great.