Chet Holmgren, the young center for NBA champions Oklahoma City Thunder and a rising league star, never imagined a routine summer shooting session would spark an international political firestorm.
An 11-second clip of him sinking three consecutive three-pointers at a closed court in Los Angeles went viral, not for his skill but for the Israeli flags and Hebrew text “Am Yisrael Chai” on the wall behind him. Uploaded to X, the video racked up millions of views, triggering a flood of reactions.
One user asked, “Your guy’s a Zionist?” Others demanded its removal, while a comment labeling it “hate watch” garnered thousands of likes. The 23-year-old player soon earned the nickname “Chetanyahu,” alluding to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while drawing curses against Israel and thrusting him into the Gaza war debate, despite his silence on the issue.
The court belongs to Shalhevet, an Orthodox Jewish high school in Los Angeles, which has become a sought-after training spot for NBA players due to its privacy. The modern, enclosed facility in central LA allows superstars to practice undisturbed, creating a unique trend.
Over the summers, stars like James Harden, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum and Deni Avdija have trained there, while nearby rival YULA has hosted LeBron James and Russell Westbrook. The collaboration began years ago when private coach Drew Hanlen, a top name in the field, established Shalhevet as a regular training hub for his clients, opening doors to a roster of elite athletes.
Sometimes accompanied by rappers like 2Chainz or featuring viral moments like a Bradley Beal-Carmelo Anthony duel, the gym offers students rare glimpses of idols through cracked windows, autographed shirts for charity and even gifted sneakers.
Holmgren has trained at Shalhevet since 2022, well before the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre, but in the charged atmosphere of 2025, his mere presence there—without turning to leave—made him a target.
A fellow workout partner, Isaiah Hartenstein of the Knicks, escaped notice, leaving Holmgren to bear the brunt. His only response was a cryptic X post with a string of broken heart emojis, hinting at frustration or irony amid the backlash. Fans were unimpressed.
“That’s cool, Brodie (a nod to Russell Westbrook, a former Thunder star still revered by fans). Just tweet ‘free Palestine’ with pride,” one suggested. Others puzzled over what could trouble a player who recently signed a five-year, $239 million contract extension.