This young man was once considered a contender for a top-3 selection but has had a less than stellar time in the G-League Ignite Program.
If he were to fall to our pick, I'd strongly consider taking a gamble on am uber-athletic SF like him. Not sure he has Hawks DNA or the IQ to run a Quin Snyder offense.
Fan Sided2024 NBA Draft scouting report: Ron Holland
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 195 pounds
Birthdate: July 7, 2005
Position: Small Forward
Offensive Role: Slashing wing
Defensive Role: Switchable wing
Projected Draft Range: 1-14
Ron Holland began the season No. 1 on a lot of boards. In the months since, his stock has fluctuated violently depending on where you look. It's that kind of year as far as NBA Draft evaluation is concerned.
The 18-year-old hasn't necessarily disappointed, but Holland is trapped in a difficult situation. The G League Ignite team is bad. It's that simple. The offense lacks basic infrastructure. Holland doesn't have reliable point guard play or optimal spacing to make his life easier. The talent is plentiful — Ignite has never had more NBA prospects in the mix — but the roster construction is all out of whack.
Holland is therefore playing heavy minutes on the G League's worst team, with a statistical profile that indicates his immense talent while underscoring his weaknesses, in bold and italics. Holland is averaging 19.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists on .460/.240/.728 splits in 31.9 minutes.
At the end of the day, what made Holland such an appealing prospect before the season hasn't dissipated. He's the best two-way wing on the board in a draft defined by parity and uncertainty. His archetype is highly coveted around the NBA and that should give Holland a bit of extra leeway. It's best to view him as a project more than a day-one star, but Holland's innate physical gifts and unceasing motor serve as a strong foundation upon which to build.
Team fit is going to matter a lot for Holland. That said, the upside is pronounced.
StrengthsWeaknessesSpoiler:Final SummarySpoiler:
Holland is a major beneficiary of the weak draft class around him. But, by that same token, he has become broadly underrated at this point. Even if he is viewed as unmolded clay, Holland's athletic profile as a 6-foot-8 wing is difficult to overlook. His first step and coordination on drives, his effectiveness in transition, the constant havoc generated on defense — there's a lot to work with. Every NBA team needs a two-way wing, and every team wants a prospect that checks the intangible boxes Holland does. He works hard. He impacts the game by sheer force of will. That should help him make a living while the skills develop over time.