The 7-Foot Legacy: Unpacking The Inspiring Story Of Chet Holmgren’s Parents, David Holmgren And Sarah Harris

Chet Holmgren’s journey to becoming one of the NBA's most unique and impactful young stars is a story deeply rooted in his family's history, a narrative that extends far beyond his own exceptional talent. As of December 18, 2025, the Oklahoma City Thunder center is a pivotal figure in the league, but his success is inextricably linked to the foundation laid by his parents, David Holmgren and Sarah Harris, who instilled a blend of competitive fire and quiet resilience.

The curiosity surrounding the towering, rail-thin phenom often leads fans to ask about his origins, particularly the source of his incredible height and unique skill set. The answer lies in his father, a 7-foot collegiate basketball player himself, and his mother, a successful professional who provided the essential stability and support away from the court. Their combined influence created the perfect environment for a generational talent to thrive.

Chet Holmgren: Full Biography & Profile

Chet Thomas Holmgren’s profile is a testament to a rapid ascent through the basketball world, marked by his distinctive physical attributes and versatile playing style. His biography provides the necessary context for understanding the high-level environment in which he was raised.

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• Full Name: Chet Thomas Holmgren
• Born: May 1, 2002, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
• Age (as of 2025): 23
• Height: 7 ft 1 in (216 cm)
• Weight: 208 lbs (94 kg)
• Position: Center / Power Forward
• High School: Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis)
• College: Gonzaga University (2021–2022)
• NBA Draft: 2022, Round 1, Pick 2 (Oklahoma City Thunder)
• Current Team: Oklahoma City Thunder (OKC)
• Parents: David "Dave" Holmgren and Sarah Harris
• Key Achievements: Consensus Second-Team All-American (2022), WCC Defensive Player of the Year (2022), NBA All-Rookie First Team (2024).

Holmgren’s path from a top high school prospect at Minnehaha Academy to the second overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft was closely monitored. His ability to handle the ball, shoot three-pointers, and block shots—a unique skill set for a player of his size—is often attributed to the early, personalized training he received, much of which was guided by his father.

David Holmgren: The 7-Foot Collegiate Legacy Who Shaped Chet's Game

The immediate answer to where Chet Holmgren gets his towering height is his father, David Holmgren. Standing at a formidable 7 feet tall, Dave Holmgren is a collegiate basketball veteran whose own history in the sport provided an invaluable blueprint for his son's development.

A Gopher’s History and Division I Experience

David Holmgren played Division I collegiate basketball for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. His career spanned from 1984 to 1988, where he played the center position. While his stat lines—such as averaging 1.1 points and 1.1 rebounds during the 1985-86 season—might not jump off the page, the experience of playing at that level was critical.

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This firsthand knowledge of the demands of high-level basketball allowed Dave to serve as Chet’s first and most influential coach. He understood the nuances of the game, the physical toll, and the mental fortitude required to succeed as a big man. This background is a key entity in the Holmgren family's basketball legacy.

The Supportive “Basketball Dad” Goes Viral

Despite his own history in the spotlight, Dave Holmgren prefers to be low-key and out of the public eye. However, his dedication to his son’s career made him a recognizable figure during Chet’s college season with the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

Dave became known as the supportive "basketball dad" who was often seen filming Chet's games from the stands. This act of documenting every moment was more than just a father's pride; it was a coaching tool. Chet himself has detailed how his father used these recordings to help him analyze and refine his game, turning every match into a learning opportunity.

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This hands-on, analytical approach from a former player is a significant factor in Chet's development of a versatile game that defies the traditional "big man" mold. It allowed Chet to develop perimeter skills alongside his interior defense, setting him apart from other centers in his draft class.

Sarah Harris: The Quiet Strength and Real Estate Success Behind the Star

While David Holmgren is the public face of the family’s basketball connection, Chet’s mother, Sarah Harris, represents the quiet strength and stability that grounded the young athlete. Her professional background and personal demeanor highlight a different, yet equally important, form of influence.

A Driven Professional in Real Estate

Sarah Harris is known to work quietly in the competitive real estate sector, maintaining a low public profile compared to her son and ex-husband. However, details about her early career reveal a highly driven and successful individual.

Harris accelerated through her education, starting college at the age of 15 and launching her real estate career just three years later at 18. This early professional success and ambition underscore a character trait—dedication and focus—that Chet certainly inherited. Her career in real estate provides a non-basketball-centric anchor for the family, emphasizing the importance of diverse pursuits and professional excellence.

Providing Stability and Perspective

Sarah’s role often involved providing a crucial sense of normalcy and perspective amid the intense pressure of Chet's rise to fame. She has shared anecdotes that illustrate the family’s approach to his unique journey.

One anecdote recalls the family’s tough decision to shut down Chet’s early basketball team, a move that ensured he was exposed to different circumstances and competition, rather than being sheltered in one environment. This decision-making process highlights the parents' commitment to Chet's holistic development, not just his athletic success.

Furthermore, Sarah Harris has offered a small glimpse into the mental fortitude she helped instill in Chet, once quoting his internal mantra as, "Just don't say it out loud." This reflects the quiet confidence and focus the family encouraged, teaching him to channel his ambition without unnecessary outward boasting.

The Combined Influence: A Blueprint for NBA Success

The story of Chet Holmgren's parents is not about two people pushing a child into a sport; it is about two successful, driven individuals creating a balanced environment. The combination of David Holmgren’s 7-foot frame and Division I basketball tutelage, paired with Sarah Harris’s professional drive and stabilizing presence, provided a complete blueprint for Chet’s NBA success.

Their supportive, yet demanding, approach allowed Chet to develop the unique skill set that has made him a defensive anchor and offensive threat for the Oklahoma City Thunder. As Chet continues to build his career and cement his place as a top entity in the league, the foundation laid by David and Sarah—a legacy of height, hard work, and quiet strength—remains the most important part of his story.