DaRon Holmes II Bio
DaRon Rodrick Holmes II (born August 15, 2002) is an American professional basketball player for the Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G League, on assignment from the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 9 inches tall and weighing around 225 pounds, he plays the power forward and center positions. Holmes is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished Dayton Flyers of his era after a decorated college career that ended with national recognition.
He is a graduate of Millennium High School in Goodyear, Arizona, and Montverde Academy and AZ Compass Prep School. He attended college at the University of Dayton. Holmes gained recognition for his scoring, rebounding, and shot-blocking ability, leading to his selection in the 2024 NBA draft.
Early Life and Background
DaRon Holmes II was born on August 15, 2002, in Overland Park, Kansas, and raised in Goodyear, Arizona. He attended Millennium High School in Goodyear, where he quickly emerged as one of the top high school basketball prospects in the state. As a junior at Millennium, Holmes averaged 23.7 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.8 blocks, and 3.1 assists per game, earning the prestigious Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year award.
His strong play attracted national attention, and he transferred to Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, prior to his senior year in pursuit of a stronger national schedule. After his winter break, he moved back to Arizona and transferred a second time to AZ Compass Prep School in Chandler, Arizona. He was rated a four-star recruit and ultimately committed to playing college basketball for the Dayton Flyers over offers from Arizona, Marquette, and California.
Path to Basketball
Holmes joined the Dayton Flyers as a highly regarded recruit and immediately earned a starting role. He started all 35 of Dayton’s games as a freshman and led the team with 12.8 points per game, while also averaging 6.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. He set a school record with 81 total blocks in a single season, an early indicator of his elite defensive instincts around the rim. His freshman campaign was recognized with the Atlantic 10 Conference Rookie of the Year award, a second-team All-Atlantic 10 selection, and a place on the conference All-Defense team.
Entering his sophomore year, Holmes appeared on the watch list for the Karl Malone Award, given to the nation’s top college power forward. He elevated his production, averaging 18.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, and earned first-team All-Atlantic 10 honors. On April 24, 2023, he declared for the 2023 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility, but withdrew on the deadline day and returned to Dayton for his junior season, a decision that strengthened his draft stock.
DaRon Holmes II Career
Junior Year and Draft (2023–2024)
Holmes continued to develop during his junior season at Dayton, anchoring the Flyers as a focal point on both ends of the floor. His dominance in the Atlantic 10 earned him the conference’s co-Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards, along with first-team All-Atlantic 10 honors. He was also recognized as a consensus second-team All-American, confirming his status among the top players in college basketball.
On May 30, 2024, Holmes declared for the 2024 NBA draft, and on June 26, he was selected as the 22nd overall pick by the Phoenix Suns. He was then traded to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for the draft rights to Ryan Dunn (No. 28), the 56th pick, and second-round selections in 2026 and 2031. With the 22nd selection, Holmes became the fifth Dayton Flyer to be chosen in the first round of an NBA draft.
Denver Nuggets Era (2024–Present)
Holmes signed with the Denver Nuggets on July 9, 2024, beginning his NBA career. Just three days later, however, he suffered a torn right Achilles tendon during his Summer League debut, an injury that cut short his rookie season. The setback temporarily halted his momentum, but his long-term profile as a rim-protecting, floor-spacing big man kept him firmly in the Nuggets’ plans.
As part of his professional development, Holmes has been assigned to the Grand Rapids Gold, Denver’s NBA G League affiliate, where he continues to refine his game and work his way back from injury. His combination of length, mobility, and shot-blocking ability has drawn positive reviews from the Nuggets’ coaching staff.
Playing Style and Strengths
Holmes is known for his elite shot-blocking, interior finishing, and developing perimeter game. His length and timing make him a formidable rim protector, while his expanding offensive skill set allows him to score efficiently around the basket and stretch defenses. At 6 feet 9 inches with a strong frame, he comfortably switches between the power forward and center positions, giving his team flexibility on both ends of the floor.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Holmes’s signature achievements, he set a Dayton school record with 81 blocks in a single season during his freshman year. He became only the fifth Dayton player to be selected in the first round of the NBA draft, and he earned consensus second-team All-American honors in 2024. He was also named Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year, underscoring his two-way impact.
DaRon Holmes II Career Wins
Holmes’s trophy case reflects consistent excellence at every level of his basketball journey. From the Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year award in high school to consensus second-team All-American honors in college, he has built a résumé marked by individual accolades and team contributions.
College Highlights
Holmes earned Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year in 2022, followed by second-team All-Atlantic 10 honors the same season. He was a two-time first-team All-Atlantic 10 selection in 2023 and 2024, and he was named Atlantic 10 co-Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and consensus second-team All-American in 2024. He set a Dayton single-season blocks record with 81 swats as a freshman, a mark that remains one of the most notable defensive achievements in program history.
Other Performances
Beyond his college accolades, Holmes was rated a four-star high school recruit and earned the Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year award after a dominant junior season at Millennium High School. He was also named to the Atlantic 10 All-Defense team as a freshman, reinforcing his reputation as a two-way player even at the start of his college career.
DaRon Holmes II Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Holmes was raised in Goodyear, Arizona, after being born in Overland Park, Kansas. His family supported his basketball development from an early age, encouraging his transitions between Millennium High School, Montverde Academy, and AZ Compass Prep School in pursuit of the best competitive environment. Public details about his parents and siblings remain limited, though the move to multiple elite prep programs reflects a strong family commitment to his athletic growth.
Personal Life
Holmes is known publicly through his basketball career, and he maintains an active presence on social media, including his Instagram account under the handle @daron815. As a young professional, he continues to focus on his recovery and development within the Denver Nuggets and Grand Rapids Gold organizations.
2025 Season Performance
Holmes is expected to spend the 2025 season building his professional resume with the Grand Rapids Gold in the NBA G League, while remaining on assignment from the Denver Nuggets. The year represents an important recovery and development window following his torn right Achilles tendon suffered in the 2024 Summer League. With the Nuggets prioritizing his long-term health, the Gold will likely serve as the primary stage for his return to competitive action.
Throughout the 2025 campaign, Holmes’s primary objective will be to regain his pre-injury form, particularly his shot-blocking, rebounding, and interior scoring. The Grand Rapids Gold coaching staff is expected to give him extended minutes to accelerate his development and confidence. His performance in the G League will be closely monitored by the Nuggets’ front office as they evaluate his role in the team’s long-term plans.
Looking ahead, a strong and healthy 2025 season could position Holmes for a meaningful role with the Denver Nuggets in subsequent seasons. His combination of size, defensive instincts, and offensive upside make him an intriguing long-term piece for Denver’s frontcourt rotation. If he returns to full strength, he has the tools to become a regular contributor at the NBA level.