Kentucky reaches out to 2023 5-star forward Ron Holland

One of the top uncommitted high school juniors is finally hearing from Kentucky.

On Wednesday afternoon, On3‘s Joe Tipton reported that the Wildcats have reached out to class of 2023 five-star forward Ron Holland. Checking in at 6-foot-8, 195 pounds, the Duncanville (TX) product is considered a five-star recruit and the No. 8 overall player in his class, according to the On3 Consensus. This news came almost directly after Holland told Tipton that he’d “like to hear something from” Kentucky.

Members of the Kentucky coaching staff, including head coach John Calipari, sat in to watch Holland perform over the weekend for Drive Nation (EYBL) down in Orlando. Holland dropped 22 points on 10-13 shooting to go along with eight rebounds, two assists, and four steals on Friday in front of UK assistants. He put up averages of 14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.2 steals over the four-game event.

Kentucky has reached out to 2023 five-star Ron Holland, he tells me.

Coach Calipari and staff watched multiple of Holland’s games over the weekend. @ron2kholland https://t.co/TPnAYNqYUB

— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 13, 2022

Kentucky is admittedly getting in on Holland’s recruitment later than most. He’s currently hoping to take visits to UCLA, Arkansas, and Texas with the Bruins reaching out the most as of right now. Holland will take an official visit to UCLA on May 12, currently his only scheduled official. Arkansas, Houston, and Texas are all heavily involved as well. But if you’re a Kentucky fan looking for some optimism, I’ll note that Holland tweeted on Tuesday afternoon that his “recruitment is 100% open”.

Perhaps not-so-coincidentally, Kentucky is now getting more seriously involved. Holland has repeatedly mentioned his desire to talk with UK in the past, so the interest appears to be more mutual than it was even just a few weeks ago.

Scouting Report on Ron Holland

“Considered one of the best energy players, defenders and transition players at the power forward position, Holland has shown an expanded offensive game as a junior. The 6-foot-8 prospects out of the Dallas area has a high-end motor, with similar agility, leaping ability and arm length. Holland impacts the game defensively with his length and ability to switch and defend guards in the ball screen game. He’s also continued to be a player that impacts the game as a rebounder, and that includes outside his area. Holland has greatly expanded his offensive game as a junior. He has become a threat to knock down the perimeter jumper, and has become a much more confident player putting the ball on the floor against pressure defense. He has gone from a player with NBA upside as a freshman and sophomore, to one that is a lock to be an NBA Draft pick if he continues to expand his offensive game. Another area On3 has seen improvement is Holland’s maturity on the floor. He’s responding to adversity much quicker from play to play.” – Gerry Hamilton, On3 Senior National Recruiting Analyst