{
  "id": 10818161,
  "title": "Skinny NBA Star Goes Viral for Weight Gain",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/skinny-nba-star-goes-viral-for-weight-gain",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-30T00:55:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/sports/nba/skinny-nba-star-goes-viral-for-weight-gain-12503365"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren has recently gained attention for his weight gain, despite already tipping the scales at 213 pounds. Known for his thin stature, Holmgren stands at 7 feet 1 inch tall. In contrast, his NBA counterpart Joel Embiid, also a center, is an inch shorter but weighs 57 pounds more at 270 pounds. Fans of the Thunder have been hoping for Holmgren to put on more weight. In preparation for the upcoming 2026-27 season, Holmgren has reached 215 pounds, reports OKC Thunder Wire beat reporter Clemente Almanza. However, this weight gain might not be as significant as fans would like. Last season, Holmgren's team, the Thunder, were eliminated from the playoffs by San Antonio Spurs and star Victor Wembanyama, who also faces similar criticism for his lack of size. Wembanyama, who is also 7 feet 4 inches tall, currently weighs 240 pounds but has gained 30 pounds since joining the league. He explained to Kevin Hart on \"Cold as Balls\" that while he is in strength training, adding more weight could compromise his mobility and athleticism. Holmgren, who weighed 195 pounds in college, has indeed gained weight as his basketball career has progressed. Despite his recent weight gain, if the Thunder are once again knocked out of the playoffs by the Spurs, fans might again question if Holmgren needs to put on more weight.",
  "summary": "A notably slim NBA star put on some weight this offseason, and the internet has taken notice.",
  "key_points": [
    "Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren gained weight to 215 pounds.",
    "Despite being thin, Holmgren stands 7 feet 1 inch tall.",
    "Joel Embiid, also a center, weighs 57 pounds more at 270 pounds."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Chet Holmgren's weight gain addresses fan concerns about his physique, but may not be enough to change perceptions of his readiness for playoff success against larger, stronger opponents.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}