5-star forward Ron Holland talks UCLA, Kentucky

Five-star power forward Ron Holland is coming off a strong first weekend at the Nike EYBL. The 6-foot-8 prospect averaged 14.2 points, six rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.2 steals across four games.

The weekend also happened to be the very first live period of the summer, meaning plenty of college coaches were in the stands watching the On3 Consensus’ No. 8 overall 2023 prospect.

Holland becoming a priority recruit for many programs

Six different programs were in to see Ron Holland over the weekend — UCLA, Kentucky, Houston, Arkansas, Texas, and Auburn. Each of the programs have offered except Kentucky.

If my eyes served me right, only three programs had their head coach in to see him: UCLA’s Mick Cronin, Kentucky’s John Calipari, and Houston’s Kelvin Sampson.

I should also note that UCLA and Arkansas were at all of Holland’s games. It makes sense considering the word on the street is Holland is the No. 1 priority recruit for both the Bruins and the Razorbacks.

Several schools pushing to get Holland on campus

So far, Holland has only visited Memphis and Tennessee State; two programs that are unlikely — in my opinion — to land him. Oregon was originally set to host Holland for an official in March, but the trip was canceled due to an interference with his high school playoffs. I wouldn’t expect the trip to be rescheduled due to the fact former Oregon assistant Chris Crutchfield (Holland’s head recruiter) recently accepted the head coaching job at Omaha.

Currently, Holland has one upcoming official visit — to UCLA on May 12th. It will be his first time in Los Angeles, so what is he looking forward to about the trip?

“I’m looking forward to seeing everything,” Holland said with a smile. “I like listening to a whole lot of talk, but I wanna see. You can show me better than you can tell me.”

Who else is pushing to get him on campus?

“UCLA, Arkansas, and Texas are pushing the hardest to get me on a visit,” Holland said. “But recruiting me the hardest, I would say, honestly, I talk to UCLA every day.”

Holland mentioned later that Auburn is also in constant contact.

It’s obvious that UCLA has made him a top priority. What do the Bruins and Holland talk about?

“Everything. They don’t only care about basketball and I really like that. For all the recruiters out there, I feel like if you’re really trying to get them, you should talk to them about how their family is doing and stuff like that. Showing them that you care about them and the family. Because it’s not just you that commits, the family is committed too.”

Is Kentucky next to offer Holland?

On Friday, a Kentucky assistant was courtside to see Holland go off for 22 points (10-of-13 from the field), eight rebounds, two assists, and four steals.

The very next day, Coach Calipari was front and center to watch the Texas native. The Wildcats continued to watch him throughout the weekend, keeping tabs on him.

I would expect Kentucky to watch him once again in less than two weeks in Indianapolis for the second EYBL session. If he continues his high level of play, I would not be surprised to see the Wildcats extend an offer. 

After one of Holland’s games, I asked him about Kentucky, and he replied: “I don’t know if Kentucky is interested in me, but if so, then I’d like to hear something from them.”

Kentucky basketball recruiting intel: Nike EYBL Session 1 (On3+)