DaRon Rodrick Holmes II Bio
DaRon Rodrick Holmes II (born August 15, 2002) is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G League, on assignment from the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected with the 22nd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns before being traded to the Nuggets on draft night. Holmes played college basketball for the Dayton Flyers from 2021 to 2024, where he established himself as one of the most dominant forwards in the Atlantic 10 Conference. His professional career began with an injury setback, but he made his NBA debut in October 2025 and has shown promise in limited minutes with the Nuggets organization.
Early Life and Background
DaRon Rodrick Holmes II was born on August 15, 2002, in Overland Park, Kansas, but he grew up primarily in Goodyear, Arizona. His basketball journey began in the Arizona desert, where he developed his skills during his formative years. Holmes attended Millennium High School in Goodyear, where he quickly established himself as a standout player capable of impacting games on both ends of the floor. His exceptional performance as a junior earned him recognition as the Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year after he averaged 23.7 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.8 blocks, and 3.1 assists per game.
Prior to his senior year of high school, Holmes transferred to Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, one of the nation’s premier basketball programs known for developing NBA talent. However, he returned to Arizona during his winter break and transferred a second time to AZ Compass Prep School in Chandler, Arizona. Despite the changes in his academic environment, Holmes maintained his academic and athletic standing. He was rated as a four-star recruit by major recruiting services and attracted attention from several major college programs before ultimately deciding to continue his basketball career closer to his Arizona roots.
Path to Professional Basketball
Holmes received scholarship offers from notable programs including Arizona, Marquette, and California before choosing to play for the Dayton Flyers. His commitment to Dayton marked the beginning of his ascent through collegiate basketball. The Flyers program, known for developing NBA players, provided Holmes with the platform to showcase his abilities against high-level competition in the Atlantic 10 Conference. He arrived on campus ready to contribute immediately and quickly proved that his high school accolades were not the ceiling of his potential.
During his recruitment, Holmes demonstrated the versatility that would define his collegiate career. His combination of size, athleticism, and basketball IQ made him an attractive prospect for programs seeking a modern big man capable of affecting games in multiple ways. The decision to attend Dayton placed him under the guidance of coaches who had a track record of developing players for the next level. This developmental pathway proved instrumental in shaping Holmes into the professional player he would become.
DaRon Rodrick Holmes II Career
Dayton Flyers Career (2021–2024)
Holmes made an immediate impact upon arriving at Dayton, starting all 35 games as a freshman during the 2021-2022 season. He led the team in scoring with 12.8 points per game while also contributing 6.1 rebounds and an impressive 2.3 blocks per contest. His shot-blocking ability was particularly noteworthy, as he set a school record with 81 total blocks in a single season, establishing himself as a defensive presence that opposing offenses had to account for on every possession. His stellar freshman campaign earned him Atlantic 10 Conference Rookie of the Year honors, a spot on the All-Conference second team, and selection to the conference All-Defensive team.
Building on his freshman success, Holmes elevated his game significantly during his sophomore season in 2022-2023. He averaged 18.4 points per game, 8.1 rebounds per game, and 1.9 blocks per game, showcasing improved offensive skills and continued dominance on the defensive end. His performance earned him first-team All-Atlantic 10 recognition and placed him on the watch list for the Karl Malone Award, given annually to the nation’s top power forward. Holmes demonstrated increased confidence in his offensive repertoire while maintaining the defensive intensity that had become his trademark.
Following his sophomore season, Holmes declared for the 2023 NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility, signaling his intention to explore his professional options. However, he ultimately withdrew from the draft on the deadline day and announced his return to Dayton for his junior season. This decision allowed him to further develop his game and strengthen his draft stock for 2024. His return to campus was met with enthusiasm from the Dayton program and NBA scouts alike, as he was viewed as a potential first-round selection with the tools to contribute at the professional level.
NBA Draft and Professional Debut (2024)
After an outstanding junior season that saw him earn Atlantic 10 co-Player of the Year honors and consensus second-team All-American recognition, Holmes declared for the 2024 NBA Draft. On June 26, 2024, he was selected with the 22nd overall pick in the first round by the Phoenix Suns. However, on draft night itself, the Suns traded his draft rights to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for the 28th overall pick (Ryan Dunn), the 56th overall pick, a 2026 second-round selection, and a 2031 second-round selection. This trade sent Holmes to a franchise with championship aspirations and a track record of developing young talent. As the 22nd overall selection, he became the fifth Flyer in Dayton history to be chosen in the first round of an NBA Draft.
Holmes signed his contract with the Nuggets on July 9, 2024, officially beginning his professional career. However, his rookie season faced an immediate setback when he suffered a torn right Achilles tendon during his Summer League debut just three days after signing. This injury ended his rookie campaign before it truly began and required significant rehabilitation. Despite this adversity, the Nuggets organization remained committed to his long-term development, eventually assigning him to their NBA G League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Gold, for his return to basketball activities.
Playing Style and Strengths
Holmes possesses the skill set of a modern power forward capable of playing both inside and on the perimeter. Standing 6 feet 9 inches with a solid 225-pound frame, he combines size and athleticism to impact games on both ends of the floor. His shot-blocking ability was his calling card at Dayton, where his instincts and timing allowed him to protect the rim effectively. Offensively, he showed range out to the mid-range area and demonstrated the ability to score in isolation situations and off pick-and-roll actions. His basketball IQ and willingness to put in work on the defensive end made him a complete player at the collegiate level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Holmes achieved numerous milestones during his collegiate career that highlighted his development into an NBA prospect. His school record of 81 blocks as a freshman stood as a testament to his defensive impact from day one. Being named Atlantic 10 co-Player of the Year and Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year in the same season demonstrated his well-rounded contributions. Earning consensus second-team All-American honors placed him among the nation’s elite players during his junior year. Becoming the fifth Dayton Flyer ever selected in the first round of an NBA Draft cemented his legacy as one of the program’s all-time greats.
DaRon Rodrick Holmes II Career Highlights
Holmes built an impressive collection of accolades during his three seasons at Dayton, establishing himself as one of the most decorated players in program history. His consistent excellence across multiple seasons and his ability to impact games in multiple facets set him apart from his peers in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The awards he earned reflected not only his individual talent but also his importance to the Flyers’ success during his tenure.
College Career Achievements
During his three-year collegiate career, Holmes earned Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year (2022), Second-team All-Atlantic 10 (2022), First-team All-Atlantic 10 (2023, 2024), Atlantic 10 co-Player of the Year (2024), Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year (2024), and consensus second-team All-American (2024). His trajectory showed consistent improvement year over year, with his scoring average rising from 12.8 points per game as a freshman to an even higher level of production by his junior season. The combination of offensive skill and defensive prowess he displayed made him a matchup problem for opposing teams throughout his college career.
Professional Career
Despite the injury setback during Summer League, Holmes continued his rehabilitation and eventually made his professional debut on October 25, 2025. In his debut appearance, he recorded 3 points and a foul in just three minutes of playing time, marking the official beginning of his NBA career. He continued to see limited minutes as he worked his way back into game shape following his Achilles rehabilitation. On December 31, 2025, Holmes scored a career-high 11 points while adding 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and a block, providing a glimpse of the potential that made him a first-round selection.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Holmes’s first full year of professional basketball activity following his Achilles injury recovery. Assigned to the Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G League, he balanced his development between the G League and his NBA responsibilities with the Denver Nuggets organization. His October debut represented the culmination of months of hard work and rehabilitation, though his minutes were carefully managed as the organization prioritized his long-term health and development. The transition from college to professional basketball required adjustment to the speed and physicality of the NBA game, but Holmes demonstrated the basketball instincts and work ethic necessary to continue his progression.
Throughout the early portion of the 2025-2026 season, Holmes showed gradual improvement as he accumulated valuable professional experience. His December 31 performance against competition provided encouraging signs of his offensive capabilities and ability to contribute across multiple statistical categories. The Nuggets coaching staff maintained a patient approach with their young forward, understanding that his best basketball remains ahead of him as he continues to recover full explosion and confidence following his injury. His assignment to the G League allowed him to play meaningful minutes and develop chemistry with teammates while working on specific areas of his game.
The future outlook for Holmes remains positive as he builds upon his foundation of collegiate success at the professional level. With continued health and development, he has the tools to become a valuable rotation player for the Nuggets organization. His ability to protect the rim, score in multiple ways, and embrace defensive responsibilities gives him the profile of a player who can contribute to winning basketball. The 2025 season served as a learning experience and a stepping stone toward the productive professional career that his talent suggests is within reach.