With the 2024 NBA Draft Combine underway, the league’s most passionate fans and busiest scouts have the opportunity to find out a little more about several prospects. Among those players is former G League Ignite forward Ron Holland, the second-best player in the country coming out of high school.
With a few international prospects catching the eyes of NBA executives, Holland has pushed down draft boards. Still, he’s a consensus lottery pick and without a concrete order at the top of the draft, he could be selected anywhere from 1-14. That said, any team interested in drafting Holland has to love his comments from Day 2 of the Draft Combine.
Ron Holland Reveals Lofty Career Goals
“I definitely know my defense is my most (ready) skill right now,” Holland proclaims.
“Just because I know my will for winning, I feel like that has a big part to do with it. I know at the end of the day, defense wins games. I’ve been told that since I started playing basketball. So that’s just one thing that I always kept with me.
“I want to be able to win Defensive Player of the Year some day.”@gleagueignite prospect Ron Holland (@ron2kholland) knows his defensive ability is NBA-ready now, but is also excited to learn and grow as a defender with whichever team drafts him. #NBACombine pic.twitter.com/IC1I8mBCr5
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) May 14, 2024
I definitely think my defense is NBA-ready for sure. But I know for a fact (as) soon as I get to the league, I’m going to have to learn so much more, it’s going to be crazy…”
“I want to be able to win Defensive Player of the Year someday,” he reveals.
Getting It Done At Both Ends
Holland’s motor and mentality at the defensive end are rare for lottery prospects. As many focus on the offensive end, the Texan already sets himself apart with his self-described willpower. However, watching Holland play defense, his prowess comes into full focus. At 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, he wreaks havoc on the perimeter, his hands as active as his footwork is agile. He’s also a timely shot-blocker.
In 2023-24, he averaged 2.3 steals and 0.9 blocks per game, making him the biggest event creator among the forwards projected to go in the lottery.
A two-way playmaker, Holland also discussed his abilities at the offensive end.
Asked what he believes his lesser-known talents are, the 19-year-old says: “I would say my passing abilities. My ability to create for my teammates. My finishing abilities. I could go on and on about that.”
Well-rounded Ron! @gleagueignite prospect Ron Holland (@ron2kholland) is excited to show parts of his game that fly under the radar #NBACombine pic.twitter.com/LK8pHuFrkd
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) May 14, 2024
“…I can do a lot that people really don’t see,” Holland continues. “Or that they see and don’t recognize.”
While not often mentioned as one of his top skills, Holland’s court vision and passing ability are ahead of the curve. He takes advantage of his scoring gravity, finding teammates that are cutting or spotting-up. He often makes the skip pass, (at least) one step ahead of the defense. A potential point-forward down the road, Holland averaged 2.9 assists per game in 2023-24.
To address Holland’s feelings about his finishing, his ball-handling and athleticism allow him to get the rim nearly at will. However, while he can finish above the rim, he’s adept at pulling off acrobatic layups. Furthermore, though he strongly favors his right hand, he’s ambidextrous. With his arsenal of dunks, layups, and floaters, he can excel with great spacing around him.
