NBA Draft: Guard Aaron Holiday brings strong lineage to pros

Aaron Holiday is the youngest of four siblings, and he’s a bit is undersized. How the point guard fares in the NBA will be intriguing.

Aaron Holiday is the youngest brother of current NBA guards Justin and Jrue Holiday, the brother trio also has a sister named Lauren. Three of the four siblings attended UCLA, whereas Justin Holiday elected to attend the University of Washington.

Aaron and Jrue Holiday had successful collegiate careers at UCLA, Lauren likely would have as well. Sadly Lauren was forced to retire due to repeated head injuries.

Unfortunately, Aaron Holiday lacks the height his two older brothers process which could limit him in the NBA.

Player specifics

• Height with Shoes: 5’11, Height without Shoes: 6’0
• Weight: 187 pounds
• Wingspan: 6’7″
• Position: PG
• Age: 21.6
• College: UCLA, junior
• Home Town: Chatsworth, California.

*5’11 W/O shoes was the second shortest height at the NBA Draft combine

Statistical Breakdown

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Points: 20.3 (17-18) | 14.3 (career)

Combine Review

• Max Vertical: 33″, rank 43rd
• Standing Vertical: 25.5″, rank 52nd
• Lane Agility: 10.96 seconds, rank 14th
• Three Quarter Sprint: 3.27 seconds, rank 43rd
• NBA Shuttle Drill: 3.22 seconds, rank 39th

While Holiday’s combine numbers were largely unimpressive, combine numbers do not indicate whether a player will be a successful pro. Summer league, pre-season, and finally playing in an NBA game will be much more revealing than any combine performance.

Another example regarding how a combine performance can be irrelevant, according to multiple tweets Holiday had a strong workout with the Phoenix Suns.

With that, let’s review Aaron Holiday’s advantages and deficiencies.

Strengths: NBA Range

Aaron Holiday has a knack for hitting perimeter shots, he led the Bruins in made threes 88 and three-point percentage 42.9 percent. In fact, Holiday was one of seven players in the Pac-12 to attempt 200 or more threes, among those seven players he had the second-best percentage.

Holiday was not shooting an abundance of threes from the corner while watching film on Holiday it appeared many of his threes occurred on the right or left wing. Furthermore, Holiday could be seen taking threes from NBA distance, such as in the clip below.

Ability to finish in traffic

Aaron Holiday’s ability to finish through contract and traffic in the paint is superb. Considering Holiday stands at 5’11 without shoes makes his finishing ability that much more impressive.

The clip below demonstrates Holiday’s mentality to drive the lane and bring his defender off his feet. Although the shot was not beautiful, it counts for two-points regardless. If he can finish with the same proficiency in the NBA Holiday will have a lengthy and successful pro career.

Weaknesses: Relies strongly on outside shot

Holiday has real prowess on the perimeter, however, the young point guard at times can rely too heavily on his three-ball. For instance, the clip below from UCLA’s game against Washington State University.

In his defense, Holiday was fouled on the shot perhaps that is why his missed, yet he was off-balance when he attempted it. This type of shot can win or lose games in the NBA because it can swing momentum in the opponent’s favor. Holiday must refrain from taking wild shots or he could be riding the bench as a rookie.

Simply undersized

Aaron Holiday’s finishing ability deserves high praise, yet concerns about his size are valid. Holiday is one of the shortest prospects in the NBA Draft, that much we know, what is unknown is how that fact will affect the guard in the NBA.

The Washington State defender easily affected Holiday’s shot, the amount of long and lengthy defenders in the NBA is endless. Holiday may need to adapt former undersized point guard Nate Robinson‘s motto “Heart over height.” in order to make it in the big league.

Pro Comparison

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Aaron Holiday pro comparisons include but are not limited to Brandon Knight, Trey Burke, and Lindsey Hunter.

My comparison for Holiday is DJ Augustin, the two players closely resemble each other. Undersized, good shooting, spark plug backup point guards, Augustin has been a journeyman throughout his career and it would not be surprising if Holiday followed in his footsteps.

Where is projected on NBA Draft boards and rankings

• DraftExpress (ESPN): 17th
• NBA DraftNet: 28th
• CBS Sports: 19th
• Sports Illustrated: 20th
• Bleacher Report: 16th
• Basketball Insiders: 22nd
• The Ringer Kevin O’Connor: 23rd

How Holiday could fit with the OKC Thunder

Beloved OKC Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook is a proud UCLA alum, during his 2018 exit interview, Westbrook wore a UCLA hat and t-shirt. However, Earl Watson is the only other player to play for UCLA and the Thunder.

I think Holiday would fit well on the Thunder, especially if his shooting travels to the NBA. If contract negotiations with free agent Raymond Felton fall through, the former Bruin would be a fine replacement.

It’s unlikely Holiday is drafted by the Thunder since they do not own a first-round pick. It would be intriguing to see him playing alongside one of his Brothers on the Bulls or Pelicans.

Next: Playmaking sharpshooter Jerome Robinson climbs ranking lists

That scenario is a long shot as well. Wherever Holiday gets drafted he will be a solid backup point guard.