2024 NBA Mock Draft: Timberwolves grab seasoned prospect, Wizards reach for center
By Austin McGee
9. Memphis Grizzlies - Ron Holland, G-League Ignite
The now-defunct NBA G-League Ignite seemed to breed special athletes who lacked efficiency. Ron Holland epitomizes this exact scenario. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 20.6 points per game, but he did so with subpar efficiency. Holland shot 44.4 percent from the floor and 24.0 percent from beyond the arc.
Although he shot such a low 3-point percentage, he wasn't gun-shy, letting 3.6 attempts rip from deep per game. Holland is a stiff shooter who doesn't look very comfortable off-the-catch. His motion offers unnecessary movement as he almost brings the ball to his knees before his final release. The top of his motion is workable, but the rest likely needs altering to improve consistency.
While he struggles to knock down spot-up attempts, he excels when cutting to the rim. Think former Ignite star Jonathan Kuminga when envisioning Holland. He's a phenomenal athlete who glides to the rim. The 6-foot-8 forward is an effortless athlete—one of the best in the draft.
His fit on the Memphis Grizzlies is ideal. Memphis is only picking this high in the draft because a rash of injuries decimated last season's squad. Next year, the Grizzlies will begin the season with nearly the same team that won 51 games two years ago.
As the Warriors did with Kuminga, the Grizzlies can bring Holland along slowly. Memphis is one of the few lottery teams that can offer Holland the chance to focus on developing his offense while honing his skills on the defensive end. At 19 years old, he's already a special defender. This past season, the Texas native averaged 2.5 steals and 0.7 blocks per game.