On Wednesday, the Detroit Pistons announced that the club has selected forward Ron Holland II with the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
The 6-7 Holland averaged 19.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.4 steals, and 0.9 blocks in 31.9 minutes across 29 games in 2023-24 for the G League Ignite of the NBA G League.
Last season, the Pistons, who revamped their front office with the addition of Trajan Langdon as president of basketball operations and letting go of GM Troy Weaver, and are looking for a new coach after firing Monty Williams, had the worst record and basketball.
Holland is hoping he can help turn things around in Detroit.
“I’m looking forward to changing things around,” he said. “I know they have a stigma on them when it comes to a lot of losing, and I feel like I’m a huge part to be able to start to change that around. I have a willingness to win, and I feel like me going into this franchise, being able to help them out with this good group of guys, good group of young guys that they have, I’m definitely super excited to get down there and get to work.”
Coming out of high school, ESPN ranked Holland as the No. 2 overall prospect in the Class of 2023. The 18-year-old was named the 2022-23 Gatorade Texas Player of the Year and a 2023 McDonald’s High School All-American.
Originally committed to play for the University of Texas before joining the Ignite, he won gold medals with USA Basketball at the 2021 FIBA Americas U16 Championship and 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup.
Holland has talent, but it could take some time. He’s an athlete and a good finisher, but he’ll have to work on his shot in the NBA, as he shot 24% from deep last season. Fortunately, he’s young and will have time to make that happen.
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