Richaun Holmes

Richaun Diante Holmes (born October 15, 1993) is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Washington Wizards in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born to Doctors of Divinity who run a Chicago-based church, Holmes is professionally known for his resilient and ever-evolving basketball expertise. His journey as a basketball player started in high school where he transitioned from being a 6′ 2″ guard into a 6′ 9″ forward, attracting an array of Division I college basketball scholarship offers.

However, Holmes had already committed to playing for Moraine Valley Community College in Illinois. In his only season playing for Moraine Valley, he made remarkable strides in his performance, averaging 19.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.2 blocks per game. Recognized for his high-performance trajectory, Holmes received junior college All-American honors and later transferred to Bowling Green.

At Bowling Green, he stamped his position as a dynamic player. His sophomore season saw him averaging 6.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. Consistently improving his technique and skills, he doubled his scoring numbers while recording 7.7 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game as a junior.

His dedication to the game was evident as he engaged in rigorous training sessions, sometimes shooting 1,000 times a day. His hard work propelled him to boost his stats to 14.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game as a senior. His overall field goal percentage and three-pointers record stood at 56.3% and 41.9%, respectively, contributing to Bowling Green’s brilliant recovery to a 21-12 from a 12-win season the prior year.

Following his outstanding college career, Holmes was selected with the 37th overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. Throughout his three-season tenure with the 76ers, he made significant contributions to the team, even re-joining them for the 2016 NBA Summer league. Between 2016 and 2017, he had three assignments with the Delaware 87ers of the NBA Development League, earned a spot in the Sixers’ rotation following the trade of Nerlens Noel and outplayed fellow 2015 Sixers’ pick Jahlil Okafor.

Holmes’ trading journey in NBA began in 2018 when he was traded to the Phoenix Suns for cash considerations. Despite his team’s loss to the Brooklyn Nets in November 2018, Holmes recorded season highs of 13 points and 10 rebounds. In the 2018-2019 season, he recorded a new season high of 19 points.

In 2019, Holmes signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Sacramento Kings, thus marking his entry into the team. His stint with the Kings was another milestone in his career; he re-signed on a four-year, $55 million contract in 2021. However, the 2021-2022 season was cut short for Holmes due to personal issues.

In 2023, Holmes was traded from the Sacramento Kings to the Dallas Mavericks, and then in 2024 to the Washington Wizards where he currently plays. His skills and commitment to the sport have seen him primarily playing the power forward and center positions.

Known for his quick feet and rim-protecting ability, he has been recognized for his efficient push shot contributing to his offensive game. Holmes’ journey in the NBA has been a testament to his continuous growth and adaptability, cementing his legacy as a dynamic and resilient player in American professional basketball.