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Pistons rookie makes NBA history in win over Pelicans
Detroit Pistons forward Ronald Holland II. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Pistons rookie makes NBA history in win over Pelicans

By Sai Mohan  |  Last updated Mar 24, 2025 8:21 AM ET

If you thought the Detroit Pistons were all about All-Star guard Cade Cunningham, think again. The franchise is building a core of talented youngsters, some of whom haven't gotten enough opportunities thus far. Ron Holland II is among them. 

The 19-year-old rookie had never seen the floor for 30 or more minutes through the first 71 games of the season. Entering Sunday's contest against the Pelicans, Holland had averaged less than 15 minutes per game, most of which came in garbage time at the end of games. 

With Cunningham (calf) sidelined with injury, Holland was the big beneficiary on Sunday and made the most of it. The Texas native received 36 minutes and 14 shots — both career highs — and he responded with 26 points, six assists and five rebounds.

Holland, the No. 5 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, became the first teenager ever to record at least 25 points, five assists and five rebounds without a turnover, per StatMamba.

Traditionally, top-five draft picks get ample playing time due to the developmental situations they find themselves in. This season, for example, three of the top four picks, Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr and Stephon Castle, all average north of 24 minutes per game. Castle has even emerged as the Spurs' starting point guard. 

Holland's case is different. Detroit began the season as a developmental team but quickly evolved into a legitimate playoff contender. As such, Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has focused more on winning, taking away playing time from the likes of Holland. 

The teenager knows he must capitalize on his limited opportunities, which he did on Sunday.

Bickerstaff praised Holland after his strong performance.

The Pistons (40-32) are now just one game behind the Bucks for the fifth seed in the East — a remarkable turnaround for a team that won a combined 31 games the past two seasons. Since the All-Star break, the Pistons own the NBA's third-best defense and sixth-best net rating.

Sai Mohan
Muck Rack

A veteran sportswriter based in Portugal, Sai covers the NBA for Yardbarker and a few local news outlets. He had the honor of covering sporting events across four different continents as a newspaper reporter. Some of his all-time favorite athletes include Mike Tyson, Larry Bird, Luís Figo, Ayrton Senna and Steffi Graf.

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