By Dorothy J. Gentry
Sports Editor
Two former North Texas basketball standouts were drafted in the top 20 in 2024 NBA Draft, held Wednesday night at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Dunvanville native Ron Holland II was drafted by the Detroit Pistons with the fifth pick and McKinney’s Ja’Kobe Walter was selected 19th overall by the Toronto Raptors.
Holland, 18, was born and raised in Duncanville. He played basketball at Duncanville High School where he helped the school win three consecutive Texas Class 6A state championships.
He was named a McDonald’s All-American in 2023 after he averaged 20.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per game in his senior year. He also played for Team USA in the popular Nike Hoops Summit and was a five-star recruit upon graduating from high school.
Holland, a 6’8” forward, signed with the G-League Ignite, the NBA’s development team for young talent out of high school. On the Ignite, he averaged 20.6 points per game and 2.5 steals
The Pistons, who drafted another North Texas product in 2021 – #1 overall pick Cade Cunningham out of Arlington Bowie, finished last in the 30-team NBA with a record of 14-68.
After the draft, Holland shared what he’s most looking forward to about playing for the Pistons.
“I’m looking forward to changing things around. I know they have a stigma on them when it comes to a lot of losing, and I feel like I’m a huge part to be able to start to change that around,” he said. “I have a willingness to win, and I feel like me going into this franchise, being able to help them out with this good group of young guys that they have, I’m definitely super excited to get down there and get to work.”
Holland said he is looking forward to connecting with the Pistons’ fan base and getting involved in the community. “I’m a huge community guy, so I definitely see myself getting into that community as well.”
Holland, just as the other players drafted, will likely see his first professional action this summer in Las Vegas at the NBA Summer League, a showcase of NBA draft and first and second-year players. Afterward, he’ll head to Detroit to begin his career.
“When I get ready to go, I will just talk to everybody that has been with me throughout this whole process and really sit down and tell them how thankful I am for that,” he said. “I’ve been through so much. Just being able to be here, blessed with this opportunity God has put me in.
“I’m super thankful for everyone who has been part of my journey. Once I tell them that, everything will be said and done and I’ll be on my way to Detroit and get settled in and have a good one.”
Walter
Walter, 19, was selected by the Toronto Raptors with the 19th pick of the NBA draft.
A former five-star prospect ranked as the No. 8 player in the country by ESPN, Walter grew up in McKinney and attended McKinney High School for three years
While at McKinney, the shooting guard averaged 23.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2.3 steals per game as a junior as McKinney won the state championship. He was selected to play in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American Boys Game during his senior year and, like Holland, he was also selected to play for Team USA in the Nike Hoops Summit
He transferred to Link Academy in Branson, Missouri his senior year where he helped lead them to a 24-1 record. He averaged 13.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game and was named the MaxPreps Missouri Player of the Year.
After graduating high school, Walter went to Baylor University in Waco. He was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year after averaging 14.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. He helped lead the Bears to a 24-11 record and an appearance in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Walter will play for a Raptors team that went 25-57 last season and finished 12th in the Eastern Conference.
After the draft, Walter talked about what position he’ll likely play and his excitement about heading to Toronto.
“I think the more I develop, I’ll definitely be able to initiate offense at the one (point guard position), he said. “I’ve played two and three (shooting guard and small forward positions) and I think playing in the NBA, playing around in practice, I think I’ll start to get used to it more, and then I think I can really take that role to the next level.
“I’ve never been to Toronto. I’ve never even been to Canada. But I know that it’s a nice city in Canada,” he said.
Walter mentioned the number of basketball guards at Baylor University – which they affectionately call Guard U – and holding up their tradition of competition.
“Yeah, the guards, we’re a close group at Baylor. Every year, there’s six guards, competing against each other every day. We actually do call it Guard U.
“Me being the next one out is a blessing from God. I’m just super grateful to be in this position and I hope that I’m going to represent Baylor well.”
Dorothy Gentry is an award-winning journalist, PR pro and educator. A University of North Texas alum, she is the Sports Editor for Texas Metro News, Garland Journal and I Messenger.
