Chet Holmgren Earns All-Star Nod, Set to Compete in Shooting Stars - Even If His Coach Won’t Be Watching
OKLAHOMA CITY - Chet Holmgren’s rookie season was all about promise. His sophomore campaign?
It’s about delivery. And now, with his first All-Star selection officially in the books, the Oklahoma City Thunder big man is adding another feather to his cap: a spot in the revived Shooting Stars competition on All-Star Saturday night.
The NBA is dusting off the Shooting Stars event - which hasn’t been seen in over a decade - and Holmgren will take the floor alongside Raptors forward Scottie Barnes and Hall of Fame guard Rip Hamilton as part of Team All-Star. It’s a fun, lighthearted event, but make no mistake: Holmgren’s presence there is a reflection of how quickly he’s become one of the league’s most impactful young stars.
Just don’t expect his head coach to be tuning in.
Mark Daigneault had never heard of the Shooting Stars competition at NBA All-Star Weekend
— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) February 7, 2026
“I’ve never seen that event… it’s called All-Star BREAK” pic.twitter.com/RUZvYfmOYy
When asked about Holmgren’s participation, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault admitted with a grin that he hadn’t even heard of the event - and hasn’t exactly been carving out time in recent years to watch the NBA’s All-Star Saturday festivities.
“In a moment of pride, I have to tell you, I’ve never seen that event,” Daigneault said. “I’ve never watched All-Star Saturday Night.
Well, I shouldn’t say never, but in recent years, I haven’t watched. It’s called the All-Star break.”
Daigneault’s emphasis on the word “break” wasn’t subtle. For the Thunder coach, the midseason pause is more about decompressing than catching the dunk contest or the 3-point shootout. And even with one of his own players now part of the Saturday night showcase, it doesn’t sound like that’s going to change.
But for Holmgren, this All-Star Weekend is a milestone - and a well-earned one.
The 7-foot forward has been a two-way force for the defending champs, anchoring the Thunder defense while serving as the team’s second-leading scorer behind reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. His blend of rim protection, floor spacing, and poise has been instrumental in Oklahoma City’s continued rise - and it’s caught the attention of players, coaches, and fans across the league.
Gilgeous-Alexander himself has backed Holmgren’s All-Star case, and now the league has made it official.
🌟 The 2026 @Kia Shooting Stars teams! 🌟
— NBA (@NBA) February 7, 2026
NBA All-Star Saturday: 2/14, 5:00pm/et on NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/WeZwcVSDNg
“It means a lot,” Holmgren said of the honor. “I just have a lot of people I gotta be thankful for - the help that they’ve given me along the way.
From family, friends, coaches, old teammates, current teammates, the Thunder, the opportunity that they give me, and the position that they put me in. I’m just always forever thankful for that.”
That gratitude runs deep. And while Holmgren made it clear he doesn’t play the game for accolades, he also understands what this moment represents - not just for him, but for everyone who’s helped him get here.
“I always say I’ll never play or chase things of that nature, but that doesn’t mean the gratitude for it, and the understanding of the gravity for it, isn’t there,” Holmgren said. “I’m extremely thankful, and I just feel like I have to keep going, and I have so much further to go.”
So far this season, Holmgren is averaging 17.7 points on an efficient 56.5% from the field, to go along with 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. Those are numbers that don’t just show up in the box score - they translate to winning. And in Oklahoma City, where expectations have skyrocketed following last year’s championship run, Holmgren has met the moment.
Next weekend, he’ll step onto the All-Star stage for the first time - a rising star among the league’s elite. Whether or not his coach is watching, Holmgren’s message is clear: he’s just getting started.