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). A power forward listed at 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) and 225 lb (102 kg), he plays wearing jersey No. 14. He played college basketball for the Dayton Flyers from 2021 to 2024 before being selected 22nd overall in the 2024 NBA draft.
Holmes emerged as one of the most decorated Dayton players of his era, earning consensus second-team All-American honors and Atlantic 10 co-Player of the Year recognition as a junior. His combination of interior scoring, rebounding, and rim protection made him a focal point of the Flyers’ program and a sought-after NBA prospect.
Early Life and Background
DaRon Rodrick Holmes II was born on August 15, 2002, in Overland Park, Kansas, and grew up in Goodyear, Arizona. He attended Millennium High School, where he was named the Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year after averaging 23.7 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.8 blocks, and 3.1 assists per game as a junior. His all-around production drew national attention as one of the top frontcourt prospects in his class.
Prior to his senior year, Holmes transferred to Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, a program widely known for producing elite basketball talent. During his winter break, he returned to Arizona and transferred a second time, finishing his prep career at AZ Compass Prep School in Chandler, Arizona. Rated a four-star recruit, he committed to play college basketball for Dayton, turning down offers from Arizona, Marquette, and California.
Path to Basketball
Holmes’s path to high-level basketball was built on consistent production at multiple high school programs. After earning Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year honors at Millennium, he tested himself at the national level by moving to Montverde Academy, an institution that has produced numerous NBA players. When he returned to Arizona and joined AZ Compass Prep, he continued to refine the skills that would later define his college profile.
His decision to commit to the Dayton Flyers gave him an early opportunity to play a central role for an Atlantic 10 program. Coaches valued his size, mobility, and shot-blocking instincts, and he entered college with a clear path to early minutes. Those expectations were met immediately, as he started every game of his freshman campaign.
DaRon Holmes II Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Holmes began his college career with the Dayton Flyers in 2021 and started all 35 games as a freshman. He led the team in scoring with 12.8 points per game and also averaged 6.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. His 81 total blocks set a school single-season record and established him as one of the most disruptive interior defenders in the Atlantic 10.
Following his freshman season, he was named the Atlantic 10 Conference Rookie of the Year and earned second-team All-Atlantic 10 recognition. He was also placed on the conference All-Defense team, cementing his reputation as a two-way frontcourt presence. These early honors signaled his rapid development and positioned him as a cornerstone of Dayton’s program.
Dayton Breakthrough (2022–2024)
As a sophomore, Holmes entered the season on the watch list for the Karl Malone Award, which honors the nation’s top power forward. He elevated his production, averaging 18.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, and was named first-team All-Atlantic 10. The step forward in scoring and rebounding reflected his growing offensive polish.
On April 24, 2023, Holmes declared for the 2023 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility. He later withdrew from the draft on the deadline day and announced that he would return to Dayton for his junior season. The brief flirtation with the pros offered valuable feedback and sharpened his focus for his final college year.
Holmes enjoyed a dominant junior campaign in 2023–24, earning consensus second-team All-American honors. He was also named Atlantic 10 co-Player of the Year, Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year, and first-team All-Atlantic 10. On May 30, 2024, he declared for the 2024 NBA draft, closing a decorated three-year run with the Flyers.
Denver Nuggets Era (2024–Present)
On June 26, 2024, Holmes was selected as the 22nd overall pick by the Phoenix Suns in the 2024 NBA draft. The Suns subsequently traded him to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for the draft rights to Ryan Dunn (No. 28), the draft rights to the 56th pick, a 2026 second-round selection, and a 2031 second-round selection. As the No. 22 overall pick, he became the fifth Flyer to be selected in the first round of an NBA draft. He signed with the Nuggets on July 9, 2024.
Three days later, Holmes suffered a torn right Achilles tendon in his Summer League debut, ending his 2024–25 season before it began. The injury forced him to spend the following months in rehabilitation, delaying his transition to the NBA court. He has since been assigned to the Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G League to continue his on-court development.
On October 25, 2025, Holmes made his professional debut, recording 3 points and a foul in three minutes of play. On December 31, 2025, he scored a career-high 11 points along with 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and a block. These appearances marked his first sustained on-court contributions since the 2024 Summer League injury.
Driving Style and Strengths
Holmes is recognized for his interior scoring efficiency, rebounding, and rim protection. His 6 ft 9 in frame, mobility, and shot-blocking instincts allow him to defend multiple positions in the frontcourt, while his face-up game and developing perimeter touch give him offensive versatility. Coaches have highlighted his willingness to set hard screens and operate as a connective piece within modern offensive systems.
Notable Events and Milestones
Holmes set the Dayton single-season blocks record with 81 swats as a freshman and became the fifth Flyer selected in the first round of an NBA draft when he went 22nd overall in 2024. His professional debut on October 25, 2025, and his career-high 11 points on December 31, 2025, marked his first meaningful milestones at the NBA level following his Achilles recovery.
DaRon Holmes II Career Awards
DaRon Holmes II accumulated a robust collection of Atlantic 10 and national honors during his three seasons at Dayton, reflecting consistent year-over-year growth. His awards span scoring, defense, and overall impact at the conference level, complemented by national All-American recognition as a junior.
College Awards Highlights
Holmes was a two-time first-team All-Atlantic 10 selection in 2023 and 2024, a second-team All-Atlantic 10 honoree in 2022, and the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year in 2022. As a junior, he added Atlantic 10 co-Player of the Year, Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year, and consensus second-team All-American honors in 2024. He also earned a spot on the Atlantic 10 All-Defense team during his freshman campaign.
DaRon Holmes II Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Publicly verified details about DaRon Holmes II’s immediate family are limited. He was born in Overland Park, Kansas, and raised in Goodyear, Arizona, where he first gained statewide recognition as a high school player. Further details about parents, siblings, and relatives have not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Holmes’s 2025 was defined by his long-awaited return to the court following a torn right Achilles tendon suffered during the 2024 Summer League. After spending the early months of the year in rehabilitation with the Denver Nuggets, he was assigned to the Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G League to accumulate live-game minutes and rebuild his rhythm.
On October 25, 2025, Holmes made his professional debut, recording 3 points and a foul in three minutes of play. He continued to earn opportunities with the Gold, and on December 31, 2025, he produced a career-high 11 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and a block. These performances represented his first sustained on-court production since the 2024 Summer League.
Looking forward, Holmes remains under contract with the Denver Nuggets, with his NBA assignment to the Grand Rapids Gold serving as a developmental bridge. His progression through the 2025 calendar suggested a steadily increasing role as he continued to recover his pre-injury form and earn the trust of the Nuggets’ coaching staff.
