After an injury-induced red shirt first season with the OKC Thunder in 2021-22, Chet Holmgren broke onto the scene last year for what ended up being an all-around sensational debut campaign.
With his impressive 7-foot-1 build, tremendous athleticism, and high-end basketball IQ, the Gonzaga product proved himself worthy of all the hype surrounding him upon being selected second overall back during his respective draft class.
In 82 games played, Holmgren dropped averages of 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.3 blocks on 53.0 percent shooting from the floor en route to an All-Rookie First-Team selection and a second-place finish in the Rookie of the Year race behind Spurs all-world talent, Victor Wembanyama.
He would also find himself serving as a crucial component to the 57-win Thunder's in-game scheme and influence in their overall success, as he regularly was relied upon as a top-three option on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, ranking third on the team in point per game averages and first in defensive rating.
Now, heading into year two, many hope to see some significant strides forward from OKC's tantalizing big, with some even going as far as to predict that he'll "explode into stardom" during his upcoming sophomore run.
While the regular season is still roughly a month away, training camps are slated to open up early next week, and fans will be able to get their first looks at how Holmgren may be progressing as he goes from year one to two.
Though there may not be all that much he needs to add into his bag of tricks, honing his craft should be seen as essential, and a newly implemented exercise may just help him improve upon one of his already impressive attributes.
OKC Thunder big Chet Holmgren shares new pre-workout ritual
Recently, NBA.com shared a behind-the-scenes look at Chet Holmgren's offseason training and, in it, he showcased a brand new pre-workout ritual that's aimed at improving his shooting mechanics, particularly with his arc on the ball.
"Can't shoot it flat if the backboards in the way" 👌
— NBA (@NBA) September 25, 2024
Chet Holmgren breaks down his new pre-workout ritual. Watch the full workout video with @DrewHanlen in the NBA App! #NBAFitness
📲 https://t.co/q6oKfJeNGO pic.twitter.com/xwGcJgLXK9
Working on one's shooting arc in basketball is incredibly beneficial for any offensive player in the game, as it affects the ball's angle of entry into the rim which, in turn, impacts conversion rates.
Fortunately for the Thunder stud, he's already proven to have a rather consistent shooting form, as he shot 42.0 percent from the mid-range and 37.0 percent from distance in 2023-24.
Of course, moving forward, these first-year metrics should be seen as baseline standards for the budding star, and it already seems he's looking to bump up his efficiency and consistency in the shooting department as he heads into training camp.