2023 NBA Draft Coverage: Holmes & Camara

[Columbia Blue]

Didn't see a dedicated thread for this yet ...

Maybe we can post updated mock drafts and articles here for the group as we hope to put more Flyers in The League ... Holmes #20 in this projection from 6/24:

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2022/6/...coot-henderson

DaRon Holmes, F, Dayton: Holmes is a stringy 6’10 big man who cleans up everything around the rim. He shot 66.2 percent on two-pointers, had a sky-high 8.7 block rate, and looked comfortable hitting the glass. The next step is developing some shooting touch, even if it’s just from the free throw line.

[jack72]

Holmes being projected in the first round is not good news. He will be gone.

[AZFlyer85]

Originally Posted by jack72 Holmes being projected in the first round is not good news. He will be gone.

Bad news for the current team, GREAT news for recruiting. This will be the second big man that AG developed and put into the league. Also, Daron's little brother Cam is a stud.

[Medford]

DaRon Holmes developing into a lottery level talent is great news for UD. If UD wants to be a program on the same level as a Gonzaga, then recruiting, signing and developing young men that leave early for the NBA is a reality that will need to happen.

[steve]

Originally Posted by Medford DaRon Holmes developing into a lottery level talent is great news for UD. If UD wants to be a program on the same level as a Gonzaga, then recruiting, signing and developing young men that leave early for the NBA is a reality that will need to happen.

Absolutely and any other thinking is rather cowardly.You want top players then you need to win and, more importantly, develop those players as AG has done with Obi and Holmes.

[OSU Flyer]

Good news to have a guy who’s a first round pick
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[San Diego Flyer]

AG has primed the pump with equivalent potential talent. It has to happen so we don't fall into the rut of one superior winner every 4/5 years. He is turning the narrative for UD and it''s fun to watch.

Please don't take gas on the first 3 buy in games.

[Fudd]

To all the old timers who have been around since the dark lord, Jim O'Brien, held the program in his clutches, did you ever think we would live to see a string of UD big men going to the league in the first round?

[jack72]

Originally Posted by steve Absolutely and any other thinking is rather cowardly.You want top players then you need to win and, more importantly, develop those players as AG has done with Obi and Holmes.

"Cowardly", seriously?

[Flyers98]

Originally Posted by jack72 "Cowardly", seriously?

I get what he is saying. I think anyone being honest with themselves knew that unless he took a step back Holmes was gone after this year. The word choice might be harsh (maybe "mid-major mentality" would have been better), but the point is very valid. If you get 4 and 5 stars and they all stay 4 years, you aren't developing kids, and that ultimately ensures you won't consistently get elite talent.

For a kid like Holmes who probably would not start at Duke or Kentucky as a freshman, Dayton is a great choice: start from day 1, still plenty of national exposure, and coaches who have proven they can develop kids for the next level, but what also makes it a great choice is the fact that you can get enough playing time to leave early. If you are going to sit and wait a year or two, and you are happy to do it, you may as well go to the blue blood program.

[springborofan]

There was a timely article in the Athletic last week that covered big men and the NBA draft. It seems the NBA is moving away from traditional big men. I don’t think Holmes fits perfectly in that category but I also wouldn’t put him in the Obi category either. He does have the defensive traits the NBA is looking for.

Based on that article, Holmes better work on his mid range and even 3 pt. range shot to become a first rounder. It’s not a slam dunk he’s drafted after this year in my book.

[flyer016]

Originally Posted by springborofan There was a timely article in the Athletic last week that covered big men and the NBA draft. It seems the NBA is moving away from traditional big men. I don’t think Holmes fits perfectly in that category but I also wouldn’t put him in the Obi category either. He does have the defensive traits the NBA is looking for. Based on that article, Holmes better work on his mid range and even 3 pt. range shot to become a first rounder. It’s not a slam dunk he’s drafted after this year in my book.

The most valuable thing Holmes could do this season is demonstrate he can stay in front of guards. Great college player, but his professional money is going to be made as an energetic big. If he can switch on defense, he could have a long career; Kevon Looney comes mind. He also needs to up his rebounding rates.

[AZFlyer85]

I can see DaRon bulking up and becoming a defensive power forward like Robert Williams with the Celtics. Fast, can jump, block shots, and flush alley oops.

[flyer016]

Originally Posted by AZFlyer85 I can see DaRon bulking up and becoming a defensive power forward like Robert Williams with the Celtics. Fast, can jump, block shots, and flush alley oops.

I like that comp a lot. If he goes a different way with his body, maybe he's more of a Williams-type player. In the back of my head, I wondered if Holmes might return to campus significantly bulkier this offseason.

It does bear noting that Robert Williams is a fairly unusual athlete, even by NBA standards; 6'9" with 7'6" wingspan and a huge vertical (some places online have it at 40").

Either way, awesome to see Holmes on the NBA radar. Here's hoping he goes higher than Obi.

[frisco flyer]

Originally Posted by AZFlyer85 I can see DaRon bulking up and becoming a defensive power forward like Robert Williams with the Celtics. Fast, can jump, block shots, and flush alley oops.

DaRon can potentially develop into a more versatile offensive player than Williams. DaRon’s outside shot improved remarkably toward the end of last season. He had good form and he made a good percentage of his midrange jumpers. This can develop into a dependable weapon if he keeps working on it.

DaRon also runs the floor pretty well already, and I'm willing to bet AG will help him get even better in this category.

The main challenge for him at the next level will be similar to Obi’s in that they both thrive in a system that emphasizes team ball as opposed to individual players creating their own shots. Where he plays will have just as much to do with his future success as his own development.

[Swampy Meadows]

Originally Posted by flyer016 The most valuable thing Holmes could do this season is demonstrate he can stay in front of guards. Great college player, but his professional money is going to be made as an energetic big. If he can switch on defense, he could have a long career; Kevon Looney comes mind. He also needs to up his rebounding rates.

Here is video of Deuce doing exactly that--switching on to guards:

https://twitter.com/IntuitionHoops/s...53698457862144

[OSU Flyer]

a skinner Paul Millsap perhaps

[AZFlyer85]

Originally Posted by flyer016 I like that comp a lot. If he goes a different way with his body, maybe he's more of a Williams-type player. In the back of my head, I wondered if Holmes might return to campus significantly bulkier this offseason. It does bear noting that Robert Williams is a fairly unusual athlete, even by NBA standards; 6'9" with 7'6" wingspan and a huge vertical (some places online have it at 40"). Either way, awesome to see Holmes on the NBA radar. Here's hoping he goes higher than Obi.

Does anyone know Deuce's wingspan and vertical? I would think that they aren't far off from Robert Williams. And he regularly beats everyone down the floor.

[steve]

Originally Posted by frisco flyer DaRon can potentially develop into a more versatile offensive player than Williams. DaRon’s outside shot improved remarkably toward the end of last season. He had good form and he made a good percentage of his midrange jumpers. This can develop into a dependable weapon if he keeps working on it. DaRon also runs the floor pretty well already, and I'm willing to bet AG will help him get even better in this category. The main challenge for him at the next level will be similar to Obi’s in that they both thrive in a system that emphasizes team ball as opposed to individual players creating their own shots. Where he plays will have just as much to do with his future success as his own development.

Also showed a couple times he can hit the jump hook,too. I'm sure he's shooting tons of face-up, mid-range jumpers this spring/summer. Outside of putting on just a few pounds and a bit more strength, it's really the only thing in his repertoire, or lacking in it, that he needs to be an all around player and high draft pick. Can't teach quite a few attributes that he already possesses.