Holmgren will miss the season with a foot injury

“We know Chet has a long career ahead of him with our organization and the Oklahoma City community,” Thunder executive vice president and athletic manager Sam Presti said in a statement. “One of the things that impressed us during the process of deciding on “Chet was his determination and clear priorities. We hope that same tenacity will serve him throughout this period of time as we work together, supporting him through his rehabilitation.”

Holmgren averaged 14.1 points with Gonzaga last season. He was also fourth in the country with his 3.7 blocks per game.

It’s not the first time one of the top picks in the draft has missed his first NBA season. Many ended up standing out in the league.

Ben Simmons was the No. 1 pick in 2016 and missed the subsequent season with a foot injury. Blake Griffin was the No. 1 pick in 2009 but suffered a knee injury and sat out the game. The same thing happened with Greg Oden, first pick in 2007.

Joel Embiid, the reigning NBA scoring champion, was taken third overall in the 2014 draft and missed his first two seasons with foot problems.

It is something that even the Thunder franchise has already experienced. Nick Collison was the 12th pick in the 2003 draft with Seattle, but he was unable to play the following season with shoulder ailments. Collison ended up serving his entire career with the Thunder. His No. 4 jersey was retired after the move to Oklahoma City — and he’s now part of the team’s front office.