Richard Jefferson Claims OKC Thunder’s Chet Holmgren Deserved Rookie of the Year Award

The Rookie of the Year award was actually given to Victor Wembanyama during the 2023-24 NBA season, as he was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft as a generational talent by the San Antonio Spurs.

For former No. 2 overall pick and Oklahoma City Thunder star center Chet Holmgren, he didn’t really have a shot at the award. After missing his entire freshman year, Jalen Williams emerged as a potential star and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander proved to be elite and an MVP candidate.

Fast forward to last season, Holmgren’s first season playing, and he was essentially playing third fiddle to those two. His stats were lower as a result, and his redshirt season made his rookie season look like nothing compared to Wembanyama — another 7-foot-plus unicorn.

Still, Richard Jefferson, a former NBA player and now analyst, backed Holmgren, claiming he deserved the Rookie of the Year award, while the Thunder center was on his Road tripping show.

“I know the pressure that comes with being on a team that’s fighting and competing for something every night. To do that as a rookie in ’82, I thought if you were on the San Antonio Spurs, the numbers you put up would have been just as ridiculous,” Jefferson said.

Holmgren averaged 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.3 blocks per game while playing in 82 games during his rookie season. They were impressive considering they helped secure the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference en route to 57 wins.

Wembanyama averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.6 blocks per game and received 99 first-place votes in the awards category.

The two will always be compared because they stand over 7 feet tall and play a unique, “unicorn” style of basketball.

Even without bringing any of his own gear home, Holmgren is expected to be a star player in Oklahoma City and play a pivotal role on the current team.

READ MORE: 247Sports Chief Scout Praises How OKC Thunder Star Chet Holmgren Handled Success

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