The 2023-24 rookie class is headlined by two seven-footers Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren.
Wembanyama went No. 1 by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2023 NBA draft. Meanwhile, Holmgren, who missed the entire 2022-23 season due to a foot injury, went No. 2 in the 2022 NBA draft.
Both seven-foot centers project to be elite defenders who can handle and score the ball like a guard. The Rookie of the Year race will likely be headlined by both players.
The eerily similar builds of both players have led to conversations on which of the two is the better player. According to New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III, he’d take Holmgren over Wembanyama.
During his appearance on the “Road Trippin’ Show” podcast, Murphy III told Richard Jefferson, Channing Frye and Allie Clifton that he’d take Holmgren over Wembanyama if he had to choose one for the next year.
“Chet has a little bit of grit to him. You can tell he isn’t soft, that’s the easiest way to say this,” Murphy III. “He plays with a sort of tenacity that bigs need. Also, he’s very skilled — he’s a little more polished than Victor is. I feel like he shoots the ball better.”
Who you taking for one year, Chet or Wemby? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/p2bqwVIujk
— Road Trippin’ Show🎧 (@RoadTrippinPod) July 26, 2023
This is quite the compliment for Holmgren, as Murphy III will see plenty of both players for the foreseeable future. Despite not playing a game yet, Holmgren continues to get respect from his peers.
