As a top-50 recruit in the 2021 class, DaRon Holmes became the highest recruit in Dayton has signed in the modern recruiting era. He immediately made an impact as a freshman, averaging 12.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. He earned Second-team All-Atlantic 10 honors and was named 2022 Atlantic-10 Rookie of the Year.
As the first-round of the NBA Draft tips off Wednesday night, let's get a full rundown on what Holmes has to offer in his way into the pros.
Player Profile: DaRon Holmes II
Height w/o shoes: 6'8.75"
Weight: 236.2 lbs
Wingspan: 7'1
Standing Reach: 9'0
2023-2024 Stats: 32.5 MPG, 20.4 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.1 BPG, 58.5 2P%, 38.6 3P%, 71.3% FT%, 62.6% TS, 23.8% DR, and 7.2% BLK
That season, Holmes did most of his damage offensively around the rim as he made 64% of his 2-point field goal attempts. He has worked on expanded his range in each of the last two years. He developed a consistent midrange out to about 17-20 feet and eventually out to the three-point line as well. He shot 31% on 19 3-point attempts as a sophomore, but really upped his volume as a junior attempting 83 triples. Holmes made 38% of those attempts, including 40% on catch-and-shoot 3s.
That kind of proficiency from range opens up Holmes' entire game. He has the handle to attack a closeout, pull the ball on the floor, and get all the way to the rim. When he gets there, he is one of the most athletic finishers in this class and that should translate to the next level as a lob threat. Holmes has the kind of game to be effective as both a pick-and-pop threat and as the roll man in pick-and-roll sets.
He has a wide array of moves in the lane and the post, but loves to go to his spin move. That helped him maintain nearly a 60% inside the arc. Holmes also shows intriguing potential as a passer out of the post when double teamed. He increased his assists average in each of his three seasons. He will be an option in dribble handoff sets at the next level.
Dayton asked a lot from Holmes as he had a 31.2% usage rate on the offensive end. That would not have been possible if Holmes cannot defend without fouling. He averaged just 2.5 fouls per 40 minutes. He was the anchor of a Dayton defense that ranked fourth in the Atlantic-10 in adjusted defensive efficiency, winning the conference's Defensive Player of the Year award this past season.
He has a ton of potential at the defensive end at the next level as well. For his career, Holmes averaged 2.1 blocks per game. Last season, he nearly missed averaging a steal (0.9) and two blocks (2.1). He averaged 5.3 stocks per 100 possessions over the last two seasons.
Holmes is effective as rim protector both around the rim and can contest jumpshots on the perimeter. Speaking of, when Holmes' is caught on the perimeter, he is mobile enough to stay in front of smaller players. Obviously NBA-level guards are a much tougher assignment, but Holmes' should appeal to teams that ran switch-heavy schemes. At nearly 6-foot-9, Holmes will primarily be tasked with defending power forwards and centers. However, he did struggle with physicality at times, so it will be important for him to keep getting stronger as he gets in a NBA-level strength program.
Holmes has a smooth shooting stroke and provided that carries over, he should have a high floor as a rotation big man. However, he also has a chance to be a real difference maker on the defensive end. As a result, I don't think there is a perfect comparison for him but I see him as a cross between Naz Reid and Myles Turner. As a starter, I would project Holmes to be the type of player that would average 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.5-2 blocks per game, which would compare quite favorably to both Reid and Turner. Needless to say, I have Holmes as a first round talent and he should hear his name called on Wednesday night.
