As the dust settles from the 2023 NBA Draft, scouts, and basketball fans are already looking ahead to the next generation of talent. The attention is now on the top prospects in the 2024 Draft class, and Ron Holland has emerged as an early frontrunner. The 17-year-old has been raising eyebrows on the high school basketball scene with his remarkable achievements due to his exceptional athleticism and versatility.
In this piece, we look at a 6’8” Power Forward’s scouting report and investigate why he is causing such a stir among NBA talent evaluators and see what makes him such a fascinating potential for the impending 2024 Draft.
Who is Ron Holland?
Ron Holland is the rising star making waves as a top prospect for the 2024 NBA Draft. The 17-year-old has already caught the attention of scouts and analysts with his impressive performances in high school all-star games. After choosing to de-commit from Texas and join G League Ignite, Holland solidified his status as one of the most anticipated players in the upcoming draft.
G League Ignite's Ron Holland is the projected No. 1 pick in 2024, thanks to his elite basketball instincts, feel as a passer and competitiveness, which gives him a high floor and plenty of room to grow as the youngest player currently projected to be drafted. https://t.co/uzfBWznuLY pic.twitter.com/AY6BmjeKxt
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 24, 2023
The 17-year-old’s basketball intuition, passing abilities, and ferocious competitiveness set him apart despite his lack of remarkable physical tools. Offensively, Holland thrives at pushing the ball in transition, dominating opponents in the paint, and has improved in scoring and shot creation, raising his game above that of a complementary option.
While the 195-pound Power Forward’s jump shot mechanics are concerning, his desire to take open shots and his free-throw shooting indicate that he has space to improve. Despite not fitting the traditional mold of a top choice in terms of scoring potential, his contribution to winning and well-rounded games make him an appealing option for NBA teams.
Other top college prospects under the radar
As the 2024 NBA Draft approaches, the focus isn’t simply on the anticipated top talents who have opted out of college basketball, such as Ron, Buzelis, and Risacher. Instead, the way is clear for collegiate athletes to make their mark and climb through the ranks.
While players like Collier, Edwards, Williams, and Wagner are already attracting interest from NBA teams, more under-the-radar prospects could emerge, similar to how Brandon Miller did in the 2023 Draft.
Isaiah Collier stands out among these players as a highly gifted point guard who excels at distributing, scoring, and defending.
Despite some worries about his stature and shooting consistency, Collier is a player to watch because of his ability to manage the game’s tempo and make sound judgments. Guards without a strong size advantage, on the other hand, may find it difficult to hold their predicted draft position. Collier will have a chance to prove himself by playing alongside Bronny James at USC.
While this year’s draft class may not be as well-regarded as in recent years, fresh competitors can yet emerge. Players like Edwards and Wagner bring distinct skills to the table, yet they may suffer restrictions due to their playmaking or size. Furthermore, the returning college players are lacking in top-tier skills, with several falling on the outside of the 2023 Draft.
Differentiating these potentials will necessitate thorough examination and analysis, heightening the excitement surrounding the upcoming draft season. Despite the class’s uncertainty, the road for these under-the-radar collegiate prospects seeking to make their impact in the NBA promises to be an exciting one.
