June 27, 2024 | Articles Homepage News The Pistons
Trajan Langdon on Detroit Pistons predraft planning with team owner Tom Gores after Ron Holland pick: ‘We seem to be in a good place’
DETROIT – High-upside forward Ron Holland will go down as the first draft pick in Trajan Langdon’s tenure as Detroit Pistons president of basketball operations.
Langdon told reporters shortly after the Pistons used the fifth overall pick on Holland that Pistons owner Tom Gores responded positively when Langdon presented his draft and free agency plans a few days ago at the owner’s Detroit-area home.
“In terms of dealing with Tom, we’ve kept him informed and engaged this whole time,” Langdon said Thursday night shortly after the Holland pick. “I met with him a few days ago on what was coming in terms of the draft and potential free agency and potential trade targets. I think we seem to be in a good place with what our vision is and what our process has led to.
“And I guess we’ll just see how we execute on it now.”
Holland, 6-7, 197 pounds, averaged 19.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.4 steals and 0.9 blocks in 31.9 minutes in 29 games for the G League Ignite last season. Ranked the No. 2 overall prospect by ESPN in the Class of 2023, Holland was named the 2022-23 Gatorade Texas Player of the Year and a 2023 McDonald’s High School All-American.
A native of Duncanville, Texas, Holland led the Ignite in scoring and steals and scored more than 30 points four times. Originally committed to Texas before joining the Ignite, he won gold medals with USA Basketball at the 2021 FIBA Americas U16 Championship and 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup.
“He’s a high-character human being who works his butt off, and we did a deep dive on him over the last several days and talked to his teammates about his work ethic and leadership,” Langdon said.
“He has a winner in him.”
Langdon was introduced as the new president of basketball operations last week as he replaces general manager Troy Weaver. Langdon left the New Orleans Pelicans where he established a reputation of being able to find athletic wings with length. Holland fits the mold. “I never thought I would go fifth overall tonight,” Holland told reporters. “Being put in this position to be blessed with this opportunity, and I’m excited to get to Detroit.”