“He blocks shots like Bill Russell” - Marc J. Spears heaps high praise on Gonzaga star Chet Holmgen

Gonzaga freshman Chet Holmgren
Gonzaga freshman Chet Holmgren

Gonzaga Bulldogs freshman Chet Holmgren continues to have the basketball world buzzing.

Coming into the season, Holmgren was a preseason favorite to become the first overall selection in the upcoming NBA draft.

After some promising performances from other prospects in the class, many wondered if the talented freshman was a "lock" to hear his name called first on draft night.

It wasn't until Holmgren started to find his groove that he's proven his potential. Listed at 7-foot, 195 pounds, Holmgren stands out immediately with his thin frame.

A dominant shot blocker, Holmgren has even started to get the attention of the pro basketball media.

Speaking on the "Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective" podcast, NBA writer Marc J. Spears gave Holmgren a ringing endorsement when it comes to his defense.

"He does stuff defensively that I haven't seen ... He blocks shots like Bill Russell. Like, he grabs it with two hands on the glass. I don't know anybody that really does that on a regular basis."

Chet Holmgren and Gonzaga preparing for the NCAA Tournament

Chet Holmgren and the Gonzaga Bulldogs look like a force in the NCAA.
Chet Holmgren and the Gonzaga Bulldogs look like a force in the NCAA.

Chet Holmgren and the Gonzaga Bulldogs look like a team that could make a serious run at the national championship.

After a strange week of college basketball that saw a number of teams in the top-10 lose, Gonzaga still remains one of the top teams in the country.

Gonzaga (24-3), with a number of key veterans, has one of the country's deepest rosters. Gonzaga ranked No. 1 in the nation by the AP.

Chet Holmgren is the Bulldogs' prized possession, as his combination of size and two-way versatility has NBA scouts drooling.

He is a generational shot blocker with the ability to stretch the defense from 3-point range. There's going to be plenty of attention on Holmgren throughout the NCAA Tournament.

In his last eight games, Holmgren has averaged 15.4 points, 12.0 rebounds and 4.1 blocks while shooting 58.5% from the field and 40.6% from three-point range.

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