NBA Draft 2023: Top returning college prospects most likely to break out

Daron Holmes – Dayton – Forward – 6’10, 220 lbs –  February 2003

Holmes had a strong season from both a production and analytical standpoint. Despite being a non-shooter, Holmes is pretty versatile for a big on offense. He used his strength to power over smaller Atlantic 10 bigs in the post, but could also attack off of face-ups with his series of jab steps and footwork to beat defenders. Though, Holmes needs to do a better job of using his off-hand to finish.

He’s got the potential to be a lob-threat with his plus wingspan (I’d estimate it’s between 7’1 and 7’3) but he isn’t the twitchiest leaper nor does he have the best hands right now. The indicators don’t suggest he will ever be a threat from deep, and I am a tad worried he doesn’t garner enough defensive belief in his scoring, but Holmes is a good playmaker in the short roll. Dayton frequently used Holmes to initiate dribble-hand-offs and in short-roll scenarios and he excelled there.

Defensively, Holmes moves well and has the tools to be a plus shot-blocker. He’s just not super instinctual and misses some shots he could block on actions that aren’t directed at him.

The package is definitely intriguing for a rotational big in the NBA. I have some concerns the offense is just a tad below NBA level and he doesn’t protect the rim well enough, but improves in those areas of weakness and Holmes is definitely an NBA player.