Ron Holland Makes Early Case to be Top Pick in 2024 NBA Draft
If the expert consensus wasn’t enough for those wondering who the top pick might be in next year’s NBA Draft, Ron Holland himself attempted to prove it in two exhibition games versus Perth this week.
A 6-foot-8 forward whose currently most experts pick to hear his named called first during the 2024 NBA Draft, Holland stood out on both ends versus Alex Sarr and the Perth Wildcats on Wednesday and Friday.
In the first game, which the Ignite took 124-105, Holland scored a game-high 23 points on 9-for-13 shooting. He got over to a slower start, but in the second quarter was able to showcase his innate athleticism and ever-growing ball-handling skills to scouts in the stands.
What was perhaps most impressive was his defense, which was highlighted by three steals, one block and plenty of moments that are sure to make NBA teams salivate.
And as good as Holland was in game one, he was even better in the second.
In Friday’s matchup, which Perth rebounded to win 127-112, Holland scored another game-high of 33 points, this time tacking on six rebounds, two assists and a whopping five steals.
He shot just shy of 50 percent from the floor, impressively hit three of his six 3-point attempts — something NBA scouts will be monitoring closely — and 12 of his 14 free throw attempts.
Holland's defense alone projects him to be a good player in the NBA. But if he can continue to hone his offensive skills with the Ignite the way he did in his first two games, he may end the competition for No. 1 sooner than we think.
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