DaRon Holmes, a first round pick by the Denver Nuggets last month, suffered a torn achilles and is likely to miss the entire 2024-25 NBA season.
Holmes suffered the injury on Friday in Denver’s 88-78 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. He finished with 11 points and seven rebounds in 26 minutes, before he was seen leaving Cox Pavilion on crutches.
The Nuggets made Holmes the 22nd overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft out of Dayton after he posted an extremely impressive junior season for the Flyers in the A-10.
Holmes averaged 20.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 58.5% from two and 38.6% from the three point line, earning a consensus All-American nod.
His 6’9 frame, high level athleticism, passing skills, switchability on defense, and outside shooting made him a highly sought after prospect, and he was expected to be Denver’s primary backup center this season behind superstar Nikola Jokic.
The injury is of course a huge blow to Denver, who is attempting to win its second NBA Championship in the past three years, as well as for Holmes who now has to spend an entire year rehabbing before he can realize his dream of playing NBA basketball.