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Ron Holland brings gold medal pedigree, jaw-dropping leaping to Pistons

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4 months ago

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Ron Holland brings gold medal pedigree, jaw-dropping leaping to Pistons

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The newest member of the Detroit Pistons is Ron Holland, a former top high school recruit who spent last season playing for the G League Ignite.

Holland is the first pick of the new era for the Pistons under president Trajan Langdon, who took over this offseason after the worst season in franchise history. Holland, set to turn 19 in early July, scored nearly 20 points a game for the Ignite in the G League before he was shut down with an injury.

He is another young piece expected to slot into the Pistons’ core alongside Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson. Holland has the size to play on the wing but often took on the role as an initiator in the G League while struggling to shoot from deep.

Here is more to know about Holland, the newest member of the Pistons.

Highlights and stats

Watching Holland’s highlights, it’s easy to see the athletic upside in his speed, length and leaping ability while playing with a high motor on both ends. He was effective in transition and puts his head downhill to attack the rim on offense where he got most of his points. Listed at 6 feet 7 and 206 pounds, Holland averaged 19.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.5 in limited action before he was shut down for the season due to a thumb injury.

The biggest question about Holland is the jump shot. He shot 44.3% overall from the field in G League action, including 24% from 3 on 3.6 attempts per game, 75.7% from the free throw line and averaged about as many turnovers as assists per game.

ANALYSIS: Trajan Langdon’s belief in Ron Holland with Pistons is a belief in himself, too

Gold medal pedigree

Holland was a blue-chip recruit out of Texas. He was a consensus top-three recruit in the class of 2023, including the top recruit according to 247 Sports. He initially committed to play at Texas, before opting for the pro route with the Ignite.

As a teenager, Holland was a two-time gold medal winner in the USA basketball youth system. He was the leading scorer for the U-16 team in the 2021 FIBA Americas Championship and was second on the U-17 team in points in the 2022 FIBA U-17 World Cup.

In high school, Holland won the state championship as a sophomore at Duncanville, then repeated as a junior with teammate Anthony Black, but the championship was later revoked; his team then played a national schedule as a senior. His explosive game coupled with nonstop winning catapulted him up to a consensus top recruit for his age. That is, until the Ignite went 2-32 this season.

TRENDING: NBA draft grades for Pistons: What experts think of Ron Holland selection

Young upside

Move over Duren, there is a new teen in town to take over as the youngest player on the team. Holland, born July 7, 2005, is a year and a half younger than Duren and more than two years younger than Thompson, the team’s fifth overall pick in 2023. Holland is officially the first player of the current core born after the franchise’s most recent championship in 2004.

In mock drafts ahead of the actual picks being made, Holland was seen more as a late lottery pick but one that carried lots of upside. Holland’s struggles shooting were obvious knocks, but each draft expert highlighted Holland’s hustle on the court coupled with his super-athletic talents.

“I describe my game as a high-level energy guy that is very versatile,” Holland told reporters at the draft combine. “I can guard 1-5 and play 1-4. I can do anything my coach needs me to do. I feel like that’s one of the best parts about my game.”

Make “The Pistons Pulse” your go-to Detroit Pistons podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) or watch live/on demand on YouTube. Tune in Thursday morning for live reaction to the first round.

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