NBA legend Rasheed Wallace unexpectedly chose Chet Holmgren over Victor Wembanyama

NBA legend Rasheed Wallace discussed the highly debated Rookie of the Year race, and he picked Chet Holmgren over Victor Wembanyama.

Dec 2, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) warms up before the / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Oklahoma City Thunder selected Chet Holmgren with the 2nd overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Holmgren missed the entire 2022-23 season with a Lisfranc Fracture that he suffered in a preseason pro-am event in Seattle in August of 2022.

Chet Holmgren’s return to the floor has been long awaited and met with a new generational big-man prospect, Victor Wembanyama. Drafted by the Spurs 1st overall, Wembanyama was tabbed as the best prospect since the League’s All-Time Leading scorer, LeBron James.

Now, linked together by their similar skill and rookie seasons, the debate will rage on all season long: who should take home Rookie of the Year honors? The NBA is already trying to manufacture a rivalry between the two, and the media asks them about one another every chance they get.

So far, advantage Holmgren in the Rookie of the Year race as the Gonzaga product brought home the first Rookie of the Month Award of the season.

NBA Legend Rasheed Wallace picks Chet Holmgren over Victor Wembanyama long-term.

In the latest episode of Sheed & Tyler, presented by Underdog Content Network, the two discussed the rookies.

“I am taking Chet [Holmgren] over [Victor Wembanyama], now, five years from now, five years ago…Chet [Holmgren] is a dog, everybody sleeps on [Chet Holmgren].” the NBA veteran said.

Rasheed Wallace praised Chet Holmgren’s ability to mix it up down low: “I ain’t seen [Victor Wembanyama] do that yet.”

So far this season, Chet Holmgren is averaging 17 points, eight rebounds, two assists, a steal, and two blocks per game. Holmgren is shooting 52 percent from the floor, 37 percent from beyond the arc, and 86 percent at the charity stripe.

This is high praise coming from Rasheed Wallace, a four-time All-Star, NBA Champion, and All-Rookie member.

Holmgren is looking to build on this hot start to his rookie season tonight against the Golden State Warriors.