Mark Few on Freshman Chet Holmgren: ‘He’s Adapted Well This Year; He is Physically and Mentally Tough’
Gonzaga freshman Chet Holmgren has taken the country by storm as the team just captured their ninth West Coast Conference Championship after defeating Saint Mary’s 82-69.
The seven-footer is the team-leading scorer averaging 14.2 points and 9.6 rebounds per game while shooting 61 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from three-point territory this season. Holmgren also became the second player in school history to block 100 shots in a single season.
Gonzaga Coach Mark Few shared his thoughts on Holmgren in a press conference after the WCC championship game on how much the freshman has grown and adapted to college play.
“He’s had his bouts with struggling early this season; he’s adapted extremely well this year. I think the officials this year has gotten away with letting players hold and grab on to him, and when it turns into a wrestling match, it can be hard for him to function. He’s incredibly gifted, strong, and tough. The stature may not show, but as we get into March, if the games are called correctly, he can be a really effective player.”
Selection Sunday for March Madness will be this weekend, and Gonzaga will likely be a one-seed going into the tournament. Winning the last 19 of their previous 20 games, Gonzaga looks to finally be the last team dancing this year after two devastating national championship losses in 2017 and 2021.
