Tag: Ron Holland

Rockets’ Reed Sheppard selected to win Rookie of the Year by executives in ESPN poll

Rockets guard Reed Sheppard was voted the top choice to win Rookie of the Year by executives and scouts in a poll conducted by ESPN.

Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard was voted the top choice to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award by a panel of executives and scouts in a poll conducted by ESPN.

The 20 individuals polled were asked a number of questions about the incoming rookie class, such as the best player and the biggest steal of the draft. They were also asked about the draft expanding to a two-day format, which received a positive reaction.

Sheppard received seven votes from the panel, while Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey garnered four votes and San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle had three votes.

Who’s your NBA Rookie of the Year pick?

  1. Reed Sheppard, Rockets: 7 votes
  2. Zach Edey, Grizzlies: 4
  3. Stephon Castle, Spurs: 3
  4. Donovan Clingan, Trail Blazers: 2
  5. Zaccharie Risacher, Hawks: 1
  6. Ron Holland II, Pistons: 1
  7. Dalton Knecht, Lakers: 1
  8. Tristan da Silva, Orlando Magic: 1

Sheppard debuted with the Rockets in the NBA Summer League, averaging 20 points, 5.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 1.3 blocked shots on 50% shooting from the field in four games. He was named to the NBA All-Summer League first team and finished ninth in scoring.

The third pick is second in odds to win Rookie of the Year, narrowly trailing only Risacher. He looked to be one of the top rookies on the court in the desert and proved himself as a high draft pick in a small sample size with the Rockets.

The odds will certainly continue to fluctuate over the course of the upcoming season, which tips off on Oct. 25. However, Sheppard and the rest of the players on the list established themselves as the top players thus far and should be in store for strong rookie campaigns.

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Ron Holland, Pistons defeat former Ignite teammate Matas Buzelis, Bulls in first matchup

After playing together last season with the Ignite, Ron Holland II and Matas Buzelis met as opponents for the first time in summer league.

After playing together last season with the G League Ignite, Ron Holland II and Matas Buzelis met as opponents for the first time in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Holland and the Detroit Pistons took the matchup on Tuesday.

The fifth pick produced 17 points, nine rebounds, three assists and one steal on 7-of-20 shooting from the field in the 85-77 win over Holland and the Chicago Bulls at the Thomas & Mack Center. Holland logged 31 minutes in his second appearance.

Buzelis countered with a team-high 18 points, four blocks, three rebounds and two steals in 31 minutes. The 11th pick shot 7-of-18 from the field and 1-of-6 from 3-point range.

The two players put on a show in front of those in the arena and watching on ESPN. They even matched up against each other on a few occasions throughout the contest. Afterward, they shook hands, shared a hug and had the opportunity to catch up.

Holland and Buzelis represent a key part of the future for their respective teams. They established themselves as lottery picks after strong campaigns in the G League and now figure to have high expectations entering the 2024-25 season.

The opportunity to face off in summer league was likely an exciting moment for the former teammates. That will have to suffice until they see each other in the regular season.

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No. 5 pick Ron Holland II signed to rookie contract by Pistons

Former G League Ignite forward Ron Holland II, the fifth overall pick in the NBA draft, signed his rookie-scale contract with the Pistons.

Former G League Ignite forward Ron Holland II, the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, signed his rookie-scale contract with the Detroit Pistons on Saturday, the team announced.

He will make $6,871,100 next season as the fifth pick.

Holland averaged 19.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.3 steals on 45.5% shooting from the field. He set the Ignite single-season record for steals (69), 30-point games (4) and 20-point games (16) while finishing second in points (565).

The 6-foot-4 standout established himself as a versatile player who can score, defend at a high level and get others involved. He possesses the physical tools and athleticism to pave the way for a smooth transition to the next level with the Pistons.

The Pistons had the fifth pick for the third consecutive year after selecting Jaden Ivey in 2022 and Ausar Thompson in 2023. Holland was one of three players drafted from the Ignite, joining Matas Buzelis (No. 11) and Tyler Smith (No. 33).

Holland is expected to suit up with the Pistons in the NBA Summer League, starting on July 13 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team will play at least five games, beginning with Philadelphia at the Thomas & Mack Center (7 p.m. EDT, ESPN2).

He will likely be joined by fellow draft pick Bobi Klintman, along with undrafted free agents Daniss Jenkins, Aaron Estrada and Noah Hanson, among others.

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Ignite standout Ron Holland II selected with fifth pick in NBA draft by Pistons

With the fifth overall pick in the draft, the Pistons selected forward Ron Holland II from the G League Ignite.

With the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, the Detroit Pistons selected forward Ron Holland II, who last played with the Ignite in the NBA G League.

Holland averaged 19.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.3 steals on 45.5% shooting from the field. He set the Ignite single-season record for steals (69), 30-point games (4) and 20-point games (16) while finishing second in points (565).

The 6-foot-4 standout established himself as a versatile player who can score, defend at a high level and get others involved. He possesses the physical tools and athleticism to pave the way for a smooth transition to the next level with the Pistons.

The Pistons had the fifth pick for the third consecutive year after selecting Jaden Ivey in 2022 and Ausar Thompson in 2023. He is the first player from the Ignite selected this year, with others like Matas Buzelis and Tyler Smith likely to follow in the first round.

Holland was limited to 29 games last season after sustaining a ruptured tendon in his right thumb. He was cleared to resume full basketball activities early in the predraft process and worked out and interviewed with at least eight teams.

The 18-year-old was projected to be a lottery pick given his potential and overall skill set. He looked to be settling in with the Ignite before the injury, resulting in some strong performances.

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Explaining why Ron Holland may fall in the 2024 NBA Draft after his season with the G League Ignite

What is going on with Ron Holland right now?

Every year, there are players expected to hear his name called early in the draft but who fall lower than initially anticipated. One of the players in the 2024 NBA Draft who could deal with such a slide is Ron Holland.

While he was projected the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft on HoopsHype’s Aggregate Mock Draft as recently as just a few months ago in January, a lot has changed since then. Now, the projections are far lower.

Holland was a McDonald’s All-American who helped lead Team USA to win gold medals at the FIBA U-17 World Cup and the FIBA U-16 Americas Championship. Some recruiting services had him as the top player in his class before he eventually chose to play for the G League Ignite.

While he was often the focal point of his offense, it was a bit of a disastrous season for the program. Eventually, in fact, the G League made the correct decision to pull the plug on the Ignite.

Holland suffered a ruptured tendon in his right thumb at the end of January and had season-ending surgery. But when it was all said and done, his year looked pretty good on paper.

He averaged 19.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.3 steals per game during his 29 appearances playing against pros. So why do many feel that his draft stock is sliding? Here are some of the latest reports.

Streaky shooting

Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo (via ESPN): His poor decision-making and streakiness as a shooter were concerns that were amplified by his outsized role last season, but the 18-year-old has plenty of room to continue to improve. His season was cut short by a ruptured tendon in his right thumb, which forced him to miss the Ignite’s final 19 games.

Pre-draft process

Sam Vecenie (via The Athletic): “His range is seen as quite wide right now. He hasn’t had a strong pre-draft process; he struggled to impress teams during visits and at his pro day, according to league sources. However, Holland isn’t the type of player who typically impresses in those situations, so teams would be wise not to over-index on that portion of the process.”

This is a more appropriate range

NBA scout, via Raphael Barlowe (via Andscape): “I think Ron is really in his normal range. I always had him around picks 15-25. I think he’ll go top 20, but it’s all in the eyes of the beholder. When he was promoted as a potential No. 1 pick or as a top-5 pick last summer and fall, a lot of people in the media followed suit. Now you’re seeing he’s dropping on these mock drafts even though he had good numbers, but I don’t think he’s falling. He [is] around where he should have always been.”

Lack of team success

Jonathan Wasserman (via Bleacher Report): “The losses, poor shooting and suspect decision-making have turned certain scouts off, but even without a reliable jump shot or high-level creation, he still put up big numbers using his speed, improved ball-handling, athleticism around the basket and streak shotmaking.”

After the Ignite failed to reach expectations this season, Holland could potentially face some of those consequences on draft night. But he still projects as one of the most intriguing players in this class.

At BetMGM, the draft position over/under for Holland was set at 9.5 and he was +120 to go in the top ten.


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Report: G League Ignite’s Ron Holland had predraft workout with Thunder

Report: G League Ignite’s Ron Holland had predraft workout with Thunder.

The calendar has flipped to June, which means NBA teams are intensifying their predraft process and hosting players for workouts and visits. The 2024 NBA draft will take place from June 26-27.

The Oklahoma City Thunder enter this year’s class with a sole draft pick of the No. 12 selection. OKC was gifted the free lottery pick via the Houston Rockets.

The Thunder will host several meetings with draft prospects in the coming weeks. This includes players outside the lottery range as OKC will likely seek to add undrafted free agents or even buy back into the second round if it likes someone enough.

One possibility is G League Ignite forward Ron Holland. He had a predraft workout with the Thunder on Sunday, per Rookie Wire.

The 18-year-old bypassed the traditional college route and spent last year with the now-defunct Ignite program. He was a five-star recruit out of high school.

In 29 games last season, Holland averaged 19.5 points on 45.5% shooting, 6.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists. He shot 23.7% from 3 on 3.3 attempts. At 6-foot-7 and 196 pounds, he has nice size for a wing.

Holland is a potential option at the No. 12 spot. He’d been viewed as a lottery selection. He’d be a swing for OKC who will bank off his elite athletic traits. He’d likely spend some time with the G League’s OKC Blue next season.

A full list of 2024 NBA draft prospects that have worked out or visited the Thunder in the predraft process can be viewed here.

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Report: Bulls host predraft workout featuring All-American Terrence Shannon Jr.

Former Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr. was reportedly among the draft prospects who worked out with the Bulls on Monday.

Former Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr. was reportedly among the draft prospects who worked out with the Chicago Bulls on Monday, according to Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic.

Shannon was voted a third-team All-American by the Associated Press after averaging 23 points, four rebounds, 2.3 assists and one steal in 32 games this past season as a fifth-year senior. He finished third in the country in scoring and sixth in free throws (221).

Joining Shannon in the workout on Monday were UCLA forward Adem Bona, Virginia guard Ryan Dunn, Duke forward Kyle Filipowski, G League Ignite forward Ron Holland and Villanova guard Justin Moore.

Shannon on Thursday was found not guilty of two felony charges of rape and sexual aggravated battery by a jury in a Kansas courtroom. He was suspended indefinitely by the university and ultimately only missed six games after a judge issued a temporary restraining order.

The 23-year-old finished the season, leading the Fighting Illini to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2005. He was projected to be a first-round pick prior to his arrest, with his athleticism and ability to score efficiently at a high level.

His visit with the Bulls is his first known workout of the predraft process. He is expected to meet with other teams ahead of the draft on June 26-27 for workouts and interviews.

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Rob Dillingham is among the second group of players invited to the draft green room

Dillingham conducted his required combine testing on Friday, clearing the way for him to become eligible to be selected in the draft.

Former Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham reportedly conducted his required combine testing, clearing the way for him to become eligible to be selected in the 2024 NBA draft.

Dillingham wasn’t able to participate in on-court testing last month at the combine because of an ankle injury. He was cleared this week from the injury and completed the requirements in front of teams on Friday at the Los Angeles Lakers‘ practice facility.

The 19-year-old was among the second group of prospects who received invitations from the NBA to attend the draft in the green room on June 26-27 at the Barlcays Center in Brooklyn, New York, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN.

Teams with first-round picks each year vote on the players they believe will be drafted early, typically the top 20-25 prospects. Last year, 25 prospects were invited to the green room and only one wasn’t selected in the first round (Rayan Rupert, 43rd overall pick).

Included in the second batch of invitations were Serbian guard Nikola Topić, Duke players Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski, Miami forward Kyshawn George, USC guard Isaiah Collier, Baylor center Yves Missi and Kansas forward Johnny Furphy.

The first group of players invited to the green room included French players Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr and Tidjane Salaün; UConn players Donovan Clingan and Stephon Castle; G League Ignite players Matas Buzelis and Ron Holland; and Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard.

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Another NBA mock draft has Bulls taking Ron Holland with pick No. 11

Another recent mock draft has the Chicago Bulls selecting Ron Holland with the 11th pick.

The Chicago Bulls would do well to improve their future this summer. With Coby White leading the way, they should focus on building around him rather than competing now, and that starts at the 2024 NBA Draft. ESPN’s recent mock draft has them taking Ron Holland, and Matt Rooney of Bleacher Nation has the same pick.

“Holland would be a little bit of a project, but the traits are there and would be very tempting for the Bulls,” Rooney wrote. “He’s an explosive player who plays at 100 mph all the time. He’s a solid ball handler who can get to and score at the rim. He’s also menace defensively.

“He’s raw and would come with some growing pains, but with Zach LaVine likely on the way out, Holland could provide Chicago with some explosiveness and aggression that they would need.”

Taking an upside swing on Holland could be a smart move for Chicago.

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NBA mock draft has Bulls selecting Ron Holland with 11th pick

ESPN’s latest NBA mock draft has the Chicago Bulls selecting Ron Holland with the 11th pick.

The Chicago Bulls have a chance to redesign their future this summer, and the 2024 NBA Draft will be a huge part of that. If they can snag another solid young player to put next to Coby White, they’ll be in solid shape. ESPN’s latest mock draft has the Bulls selecting G League Ignite forward Ron Holland with the 11th pick.

“The Bulls have been treading water for several years and now are staring at an aging roster with few prospects for improvement internally,” wrote Jonathan Givony. “Rolling the dice on an 18-year-old prospect such as Holland, at one point ranked the No. 1 player in his high school class and a strong prospect at the top of this draft, could make sense at this point in the draft.

“Holland’s competitiveness, aggressiveness and scoring instincts give him a chance to emerge as a very productive NBA player as his perimeter shooting and decision-making continue to evolve.”

Bringing in a player as young as Holland would certainly give the Bulls a project to work on moving forward.

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