Pistons select G League Ignite's Ron Holland at No. 5
G League Ignite forward Ron Holland was taken by the Detroit Pistons with the No. 5 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft on Wednesday.
Holland decommitted from playing college basketball at Texas and instead chose to begin his professional career with the G League Ignite last season. Despite some inefficiency during the Ignite's woeful campaign - the NBA has since shut it down entirely - Holland's athleticism, motor, and upside along with his pedigree as the No. 2 high school recruit make him an enticing prospect.
Bio
Position: Forward
Club: G League Ignite
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 197 lbs
Wingspan: 6-foot-11
Max Vertical: 38 inches
2023-24 stats with G League Ignite:
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | 46.3 | 25 | 72.1 | 6.6 | 2.7 | 20.2 |
Holland lacks a true position on the floor - he's not big enough to be a full-time four-man in the NBA, but he's not currently a good enough shooter from deep and remains hesitant to attempt them. He'll earn immediate minutes with his elite rebounding and defensive ability. His long wingspan, great agility, and guard speed allow him to switch onto multiple positions. With some on-ball playmaking pop, he could become a two-way starter if he develops his offensive game outside the paint.
NBA comparable: Dyson Daniels. Daniels' selection at No. 8 in 2022 was largely hoping he could add a jumper to his impressive combination of length and playmaking chops. While he hasn't become a good shooter in his two NBA seasons, his wing rebounding, passing, and terrific defense have helped him carve out a rotation spot on a good team, which is a great starting point for Holland. Both players' ceilings would jump astronomically if they started hitting threes at a 35% clip.