Detroit Pistons select Ron Holland in 2024 NBA Draft

In a draft dominated by non-college players, another one has been taken off the board. Ron Holland was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft at No. 5 overall. Holland is just one year removed from high school and was thought to be one of the nation’s top prospects.

Originally, Austin was supposed to be Holland’s home for the 2023-2024 season. He signed with Texas out of high school but was released from his National Letter of Intent in late May 2023. Texas underwent a coaching change with Chris Beard being fired and Rodney Terry eventually taking over the program on a full-time basis.

Holland then decided to play for the G-League Ignite instead of exploring other college options. He averaged 19.5 points on nearly 16 field goal attempts per game, making 45.5% of his shots. The three-point percentage was not great, though, going 23.7% from deep.

Elsewhere, Holland averaged 6.7 rebounds and 31. assists per game. His assist-to-turnover ratio was not the best either, being below 1.0.

Holland played high school basketball at Duncanville (TX) High School, where he was a Five-Star Plus+ prospect. He was the No. 3 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

What NBA Draft experts are saying about Ron Holland

Heading into the NBA Draft, On3’s James Fletcher gave his scouting report on Holland, listing him as the No. 11 prospect on the top 40 big board.

Fletcher discussed the poor season Holland had for G-League Ignite after committing to play professionally instead of college basketball. Specifically, the efficiency numbers were not too kind to Holland this season, being extremely low both offensively and defensively.

“Ron Holland was also part of the disastrous G-League Ignite season which saw every player’s stock fall,” Fletcher said. “Poor efficiency numbers on both ends of the floor hurt Holland, who was on the floor as much as any of the young prospects involved. The 6-foot-8 forward held an offensive rating of just 93, and a defensive rating of 115. How much of his struggle can be undone while playing within an NBA rotation remains the question, and some team is going to gamble on his upside.

“The conversation surrounding Holland is another wide mark given his pedigree and struggles, but is still in the mix for a lottery spot.”