Holt is a player to watch, indeed.
All eyes will be on Fil-Am guard Stephen Holt in the upcoming 2023 PBA Draft on Sunday, September 17, at Market! Market! in Taguig. And deservedly so, as he is bringing US NCAA Division 1 pedigree—along with a ton of experience in professional leagues around the world.
The Holt hype train seems to be gaining momentum, with mock drafts like the one One Sports’ made recently putting the 6-foot-4 combo guard at number 1 overall—a lofty position given the deep talent pool of this draft class.
Holt is so highly regarded that at least one respected coach in Pinoy hoops believes he will make a huge impact in the PBA right in year 1.
Just how huge? Think Mikey Williams when he took the league by storm in 2021.
“Ang tingin ko sa kanya, his effect will be like Mikey Williams when he came in to the league. Parang ganun ‘yung nakikita ko sa kanya,” said Nash Racela in Thursday’s episode of The Game of Holt’s potential impact as a rookie.
Racela, who is currently the head coach of the Adamson Soaring Falcons in the UAAP, should know all about Williams’ brilliance as a rookie, having witnessed it firsthand in the 2021 Honda Philippine Cup, where Mikey Williams averaged 18.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. Oh, and he also led the TNT Tropang Giga to the title.
That was quite the impact Williams made when he was a rookie, and anything close to that from Holt will surely help whichever team takes him.
And, if most mock drafts—including Racela’s in The Game—are any indication, that team will be the Terrafirma Dyip, who is in need of great talent at practically every position.
Holt might be more than just a great talent, though. He might be a game-changing talent.