Empty passport in hand, USA leader Holmgren open to facing best in world

RIGA / DAUGAVPILS (Latvia) - Chet Holmgren has collected one honor after another during his illustrious high school career. But as stuffed as his trophy case was back at home, the star talent's passport was empty. And now Holmgren hopes he can help United States bring back the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2021 title to present along with the first stamps in his passport.

Holmgren showed in his first official FIBA game that he deserves his spot perched atop all talents in the United States as the expected number one pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. The power forward collected 13 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks in the Americans' comfortable 83-54 victory over Turkey to start the tournament in Latvia.

Holmgren received the praise of USA head coach Jamie Dixon, who is coaching a full team of players who have never before appeared in a FIBA game.

"He's really a good teammate, unselfish. He knows some things you can't teach. He made a play today: a bounce pass that 7-footers just don't make," Dixon said. "He's got a physical and mental toughness about him. He's skilled, he's a competitor and he's coachable."

Holmgren is also a winner. He helped Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis to four straight Minnesota state high school championships. His high school season ended with him collecting award after award for 2021: Gatorade National Player of the Year, Naismith Prep Player of the Year, Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year, Minnesota Mr. Basketball and McDonald's All-American, in addition to being named to the Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit events - though neither took place in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 
Missing from Holmgren's impressive resume until this summer is wearing USA on his chest at a FIBA event. For that, Holmgren would have needed a passport.

"My passport is brand new. It's got my signature in it … that's about it. I haven't been outside the country," he said before the tournament.

Having made the USA team for Latvia is definitely special, Holmgren said.

"Team USA is a lot bigger than those awards. This is a tryout and competing against people over the course of a few days. You have to beat people out for a limited number of spots. It definitely means more that I had to earn this in front of people.".

Holmgren was a target all season in high school as one of the nation's top players. So he got used to having everybody in the United States go after him. And he is not worried about the rest of the world going after him in Latvia.

"Whatever they're trying to do, we're trying to do the same thing," Holmgren said. "They might be coming for me or coming for the USA team because of what's on our jersey or what's being said about our names. But we're doing the same thing. We're trying to come out to compete and win gold. And for that you have to go at people."

Holmgren did not know what to expect and what was awaiting him after flying to Europe and playing in Latvia.

"There are definitely a lot of challenges to overcome, but that's what we're going to have to do as a team," Holmgren added. "We're going somewhere we've never heard of with an entirely unknown environment and a bunch of unknowns. We're going to have to go in blind and kind of figure it out on the spot and in a short time frame as well. There are definitely a lot of challenges, but that's what we're coming together to try and overcome.".

While Holmgren came to Latvia having never experienced a FIBA event for USA Basketball, he does have a close friend who knows a thing or two about winning titles for the red, white and blue of United States: Jalen Suggs.

 
Holmgren and Suggs began playing together in third grade and played on the same AAU team for years in addition to combining for three high school state crowns at Minnehaha. Suggs, who was born in 2001 compared to Holmgren belonging to the 2002-born generation, helped United States win the FIBA U16 Americas Championship 2017, FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018 and the last U19 World Cup title in 2019.

"Jalen has made three USA teams. He said it was a great experience - on and off the court. He's made some lasting friendships that he still has to this day," Holmgren said. "He said you learn a lot. You really get to see where you stack up - not only among the best guys in your country but across the world. It's an opportunity you cannot take for granted. I’m trying to go hard every day."

When asked about his knowledge of other players competing in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2021 and if he was looking forward to facing any of them, Holmgren answered: "I don't know anybody from any of the other teams."

After filling his trophy case from USA-based events, Holmgren is now getting stamps in his passport to learn about the rest of the world and show he is a winner on that level as well.

FIBA