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Kentucky basketball: Former 5-star recruit now a transfer priority

By Mat Mlodzinski

Mar 28, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; McDonald's All American West forward Ron Holland (1) in action during the first half against the McDonald's All American East at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; McDonald's All American West forward Ron Holland (1) in action during the first half against the McDonald's All American East at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the Hunter Dickinson sweepstakes over, Kentucky basketball shifts its focus to Ron Holland, one of the best players in the Class of 2023.

Ron Holland, a former Texas Longhorns commit, decided to re-open his recruitment on April 28. Kentucky was initially one of his top teams.

The 6-foot-8 power forward is very springy and plays more so like a wing than a traditional forward. When looking at the future, Holland’s potential is through the roof.

Holland will be sought over as a late addition to help bolster some team’s roster. For UK, he could make up for losing out on Dickinson, and the four former ‘Cats currently in the transfer portal.

Besides Kentucky, Holland was also heavily recruited by Arkansas, Memphis, and UCLA. He also said he would consider re-committing to Texas.

Ron Holland could solve the offseason problems for Kentucky basketball

Simply put, this hasn’t been the offseason Big Blue Nation dreamed of. With Carson Wallace, CJ Frederick, Daimion Collins, Lance Ware, and Sahvir Wheeler all gone, it leaves Kentucky with a skeleton of a roster. Besides the large freshman class, only Adou Thiero and Ugonna Onyenso are on track to return next season. Everything else is all one big waiting game.

John Calipari could use some more experience, but Holland is an exception.

The incoming freshman is arguably the most talented player in this recruiting cycle. He would join a mind-boggling Wildcats freshman class that already features four of the top 15 players in 247Sports’ rankings. Holland could literally make it an All-McDonalds All-American starting five. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of something so special?

The number one reason for Holland to seriously consider taking his talents to Lexington is the playing time available at the starting four spot. As it stands, a likely starting five may look something like this:

PG: Robert Dillingham
SG: DJ Wagner or Antonio Reeves
SF: Justin Edwards
PF: Chris Livingston
C: Aaron Bradshaw or Oscar Tshiebwe

However, Livingston still has a decision to make. If he leaves, Holland could slide right into that starting power forward spot and either play alongside four other top freshman talents, or with Oscar Tshiebwe at the five.

That would be a special team to watch.

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