Aaron Shawn Holiday Bio
Aaron Shawn Holiday (born September 30, 1996) is an American professional basketball player who currently serves as the point guard for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Holiday was selected by the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2018 NBA draft with the 23rd overall pick following a standout collegiate career at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Known for his tenacious defensive abilities and playmaking skills, Holiday has established himself as a reliable rotation player across multiple NBA franchises throughout his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Holiday was born in Ruston, Louisiana, to Shawn Holiday and Toya Holiday (née DeCree). His parents both played collegiate basketball at Arizona State University, where Toya earned Pac-10 Player of the Year honors in 1982. This basketball heritage proved foundational for the Holiday family, as all four of their children pursued careers in the sport. Holiday grew up immersed in basketball culture, developing his skills from an early age under the guidance of his parents and older siblings.
For high school, Holiday attended Campbell Hall in Los Angeles, California, where he emerged as a four-year starter and one of the top prep players in the nation. As a freshman, he led the team in scoring with 24.3 points per game. During his junior year, he averaged 28.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 6.0 assists, earning both CIF Southern Section IV-A and Los Angeles Daily News Player of the Year honors. As a senior, Holiday averaged 25 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.5 steals while leading Campbell Hall to its first sectional and California regional final since 2008. He was rated a four-star recruit and ranked No. 40 by Scout.com, No. 60 by Rivals.com, and No. 88 by ESPN.com.
Path to Professional Basketball
Holiday entered UCLA in 2015 with a reputation as a tenacious defender capable of applying full-court pressure. Bruins coach Steve Alford immediately recognized Holiday as the most natural point guard he had coached at the school. He immediately earned a spot in the starting lineup as a freshman, starting all 32 games and averaging 10.3 points while leading the team in steals (1.4) and three-point field goal percentage (41.9 percent). His 127 assists ranked as the fifth-highest freshman total in UCLA history.
During his sophomore season in 2016-17, Holiday transitioned to a bench role as the sixth man following the arrival of star freshman Lonzo Ball. Despite reduced minutes, he thrived in this position, averaging 12.3 points and 4.4 assists while helping the Bruins reach the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. He led the team in scoring during the first half of a 97-92 upset over No. 1 Kentucky, ending the Wildcats’ 42-game home winning streak.
Aaron Shawn Holiday Career
UCLA Bruins Breakthrough (2017-2018)
With Ball departing for the NBA draft after his freshman year, Holiday assumed the starting point guard role for the 2017-18 season. Stepping into a leadership position on a team that had lost four starters, he became UCLA’s leading returning scorer. The move proved transformative as Holiday delivered an outstanding junior campaign, averaging a Pac-12-leading 20.3 points per game while ranking second in the conference with 5.8 assists per game. He played a conference-high 37.7 minutes per game and became the first UCLA player to average at least 20 points since Ed O’Bannon in 1994-95, also becoming the first Bruin to lead the conference in scoring since Reggie Miller in 1985-86.
Among his standout performances that season, Holiday scored a career-high 34 points on multiple occasions, including in the regular-season finale against USC and the Pac-12 Tournament opener against Stanford. He earned Pac-12 Player of the Week honors three times during the season, leading the conference in that category. Following the season, Holiday declared for the 2018 NBA draft, forgoeing his senior year at UCLA.
Indiana Pacers Era (2018-2021)
Holiday was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 23rd overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft and signed a three-year contract worth $6,496,800. His rookie season presented challenges as he competed for minutes behind veteran point guards Darren Collison and Cory Joseph. However, when starting guard Victor Oladipo suffered a season-ending knee injury in January 2019, Holiday stepped into a larger role. He responded with consistent production, including a 19-point performance against the Utah Jazz in just 21 minutes of action. During the 2019-20 season, Holiday achieved a career milestone when he, his brother Justin (playing for the Pacers), and his brother Jrue (playing for the New Orleans Pelicans) became the first trio of brothers to share an NBA court simultaneously on December 28, 2019. Holiday scored a career-high 25 points in that game. He averaged 9.0 points during the 2019-20 season while making 40.6 percent of his 3-point attempts.
Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns, and Atlanta Hawks (2021-2023)
On August 6, 2021, Holiday was traded to the Washington Wizards as part of a multi-player, five-team deal. During the 2021-22 season, his playing time gradually decreased despite some productive performances. In February 2022, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns for cash considerations and a trade exception. At the time of the trade, Holiday was averaging 6.1 points per game while shooting a career-high 47 percent from the field. He appeared in 22 games for the Suns, averaging 6.8 points per game.
Following the season, Holiday signed with the Atlanta Hawks for the 2022-23 campaign, reuniting him with former Pacers coach Nate McMillan and his brother Justin. The season brought changes as McMillan was replaced midseason by Quin Snyder, and Justin was subsequently traded. Holiday appeared in 72 games for the Hawks but was not part of the playoff rotation as the team was eliminated in the first round by the Boston Celtics.
Houston Rockets Era (2023-Present)
On July 10, 2023, Holiday signed with the Houston Rockets, joining the franchise as a veteran point guard providing depth and experience to a young roster. On July 6, 2024, he re-signed with the Rockets on a two-year, $9.5 million contract, demonstrating the organization’s confidence in his abilities and leadership. He continued his tenure with the team by re-signing again on July 10, 2025, on a one-year minimum contract.
Defensive Style and Strengths
Throughout his career, Holiday has been recognized for his defensive prowess and ability to disrupt opposing guards. At UCLA, he regularly defended the opponent’s top guard and earned Pac-12 All-Defensive Team honors. His quick hands and instincts allow him to generate steals and apply full-court pressure, traits that made him valuable to multiple franchises seeking defensive energy off the bench.
Notable Family Connections
Holiday comes from one of basketball’s most accomplished families. He is the youngest of four children who all pursued basketball careers. His brothers Jrue Holiday and Justin Holiday have both enjoyed successful NBA careers, with Jrue winning an NBA Championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021. Their sister, Lauren Holiday, played for the UCLA women’s basketball team. Additionally, Aaron is brother-in-law to Lauren Holiday (née Cheney), a prominent member of the United States women’s national soccer team. The Holiday brothers have made NBA history on multiple occasions with their simultaneous appearances, representing a unique legacy in professional basketball.
Aaron Shawn Holiday Career Highlights
Holiday has accumulated notable achievements across his collegiate and professional career. At UCLA, he became just the second Bruin in history to average at least 19 points and five assists in a single season, joining Bill Walton in that distinction. His career-high 34 points in a game demonstrated his ability to take over contests when needed.
College Honors
During his junior season at UCLA, Holiday earned Third-team All-American honors by the Sporting News. He was named First-team All-Pac-12 and earned Pac-12 All-Defensive Team recognition, highlighting his two-way contributions. He led the Pac-12 in scoring (20.3 points per game) and ranked second in assists (5.8 per game), making him one of the most complete players in the conference.
Professional Milestones
Through his NBA career, Holiday has appeared in over 350 professional games while playing for five different franchises. His career-high 25-point game against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 28, 2019, stands as a significant milestone, particularly because it occurred during the historic first-game appearance featuring all three Holiday brothers on an NBA court simultaneously.
Aaron Shawn Holiday Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Holiday was born into a basketball family with deep roots in the sport. Both his parents played at Arizona State University, where his mother Toya Holiday earned Pac-10 Player of the Year honors in 1982. This athletic background provided the foundation for all four Holiday siblings to pursue basketball careers. The family’s basketball dynasty includes brothers Jrue Holiday (a former NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks) and Justin Holiday, both of whom have enjoyed lengthy NBA careers. Their sister Lauren Holiday played collegiate basketball at UCLA.
Personal Life
On May 14, 2020, Holiday married Ashli Scott. Together, they have three children, including a step-daughter from Ashli’s previous relationship with NBA player Solomon Hill. Holiday balances his professional career with his family responsibilities while maintaining connections to his basketball roots through his brothers, who remain active in the NBA.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Holiday continues to serve as a veteran presence for the Houston Rockets. Having re-signed with the franchise in July 2025 on a one-year minimum contract, he brings experience and stability to a young roster developing under the team’s rebuild strategy. His role as a backup point guard allows him to contribute on both ends of the floor while mentoring younger players in the organization. The Rockets continue to build toward competitiveness in the Western Conference, with Holiday’s veteran leadership and defensive intensity providing valuable contributions to the team’s development culture.