Summer League Preview: First look at Ron Holland as Pistons play 76ers in Las Vegas

Ron Holland was shocked when the Detroit Pistons called his name and made him the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Now, just a couple weeks and some change later, he’ll hit the floor in Pistons’ colors for the first time at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Holland’s range was unknown entering the draft. He was almost certainly penciled in as a lottery pick, but exactly where he would land in the lottery was a mystery. New Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon kept things close to the vest through his first pre-draft process leading the organization. He decided to bet on Holland’s tools, his upside, which few predicted, including Holland himself.

“I never thought I would go fifth overall tonight,” Holland told reporters on a conference call after the Pistons selected him. “To be put in this position to be blessed with this opportunity, I can’t wait to get to Detroit and get to work. I’m super excited for this opportunity and I can’t wait. I didn’t contact (the Pistons) at all. I don’t think I had a workout – it was on the list at first, but I didn’t end up doing it.”

Langdon quietly surveyed those around Holland, which brought confidence in the selection. Holland spent his pre-draft season with the now defunct G League Ignite program, the NBA’s developmental team comprised of draft prospects and veterans who help the young players make the most of their time. Former NBA guard John Jenkins, who was with the Ignite last season, spoke to Langdon of Holland’s work ethic, care factor and their early morning shooting workouts each day.

“I’m very, very comfortable with this young man to my left,” Langdon said, sitting to Holland’s right during his introductory press conference in Detroit.

Holland is the star of the show on the Pistons’ Summer League roster, given an opportunity to show off his game and get reps before it counts once the regular season begins.

First up for Holland and the summer Pistons is the Philadelphia 76ers, whose roster is highlighted by No. 16 pick and Duke’s standout freshman Jared McCain, as well as his pick-and-roll partner in Adem Bona, the UCLA product drafted in the second round. The summer Sixers already have a few games under their belt after they competed in the Salt Lake City Summer League before their trip to Las Vegas. McCain averaged 9.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and a steal per game over the three games played in Utah, including a 15-point performance in his Summer League debut. Bona added 5.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 1.7 steals over the three games.

For the Pistons, Ausar Thompson, the second-year wing and fifth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, isn’t included on the team’s Summer League roster. Langdon mentioned that Thompson will be held from Summer League competition out of an abundance of caution after his rookie season was cut short when diagnosed with blood clots. Second-year guard Marcus Sasser will compete in Vegas.

The Pistons’ Summer League roster also includes the No. 37 pick in the draft, Bobi Klintman, who the team moved up to select in the second round through a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Klintman spent his pre-draft season in Australia with the NBL’s Cairns Taipans, where the 6-foot-9 wing averaged 10.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.5 stocks (steals plus blocks) per game, while shooting 33.7% from three.

According to HoopsHype, the Pistons are working to finalize a deal with Klintman, who’s expected to be rostered this season with multiple years guaranteed on his rookie contract.

Other notables on the Pistons’ Summer League roster include Daniss Jenkins, who signed a two-way contract with the team as an undrafted free agent, plus Tolu Smith and Aaron Estrada who signed other deals as undrafted free agents.

Jayce Johnson, Devon Higgs and Sam Peek, who played for the Pistons’ G League affiliate Motor City Cruise last season, are on the Pistons’ Summer League roster, too.