JC Small Forward Holland Gives Oath to DePaul

Just a few days after the top small forward in junior college basketball committed, another talented JUCO swingman has reached a college decision.

Delonte Holland, a very skilled offensive minded 6-7, 200 pound small forward/swingman from Vincennes J.C. in Indiana, has committed to DePaul.

JUCO Junction/Rivalshoops.com has confirmed this commitment with Vincennes Asst. Coach Chris Lancaster.

Before settling on DePaul, Holland had also been heavily recruited this summer by Maryland and Illinois, and Purdue and Iowa State had also shown him some interest.

"He was very comfortable with the coaching staff at DePaul and that was big," Lancaster said. "Obviously, a big city like Chicago did not hurt, but Maryland and the University of Illinois are not slouches as far as campuses go. He had really gotten to know Pat and Brian Kennedy really well and really liked his visit there."

Holland had taken unofficial visits to both DePaul and Illinois over the past several weeks, and Lancaster told us that Delonte had even planned an official visit to Illinois.

"I think DePaul had the inside track from the get go," Lancaster explained. "They had been recruiting Delonte for a while."

Holland was one of the top junior college freshmen in the Jayhawk Conference this past season at Independence C.C. in Kansas, where he averaged 16.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.

What makes Holland so difficult to defend are his quickness, height, athleticism and ball-handling skills. Those attributes make him very dangerous in transition, and he has the ability to create his own shot off the dribble.

His defense and at times general understanding of the game of basketball are the only things Holland needs to concentrate on to become an even more well-rounded player.

Following a coaching change at Independence C.C. in Kansas this past spring, Holland decided to transfer to another junior college.

He first visited Kennedy-King, but the tradition of Vincennes and the fact that the school has put several players in the NBA were too attractive to pass up in the end.

And DePaul also has a legacy when it comes to producting NBA level talent under Kennedy, as several of his former players are either currently in the NBA or have been drafted by professional teams.

Notable examples include Steven Hunter, Paul McPherson, Quentin Richardson and Bobby Simmons.

"He wants to go somewhere where he can play next year, and he is very big on the NBA deal," Lancaster explained. "Obviously, DePaul has a lot to offer as far as the NBA goes, because they can throw five kids at you. That may have been a big thing, plus playing time. You never know at Illinois, because they have so many players and look like they might load up in this class."

Holland just finished up a summer school session at the Indiana two-year school.

Holland attended Roosevelt H.S. in Greenbelt, Md., where he played for Head Coach Glenn Farello. He had signed with Rhode Island out of high school, but after failing to qualify academically, he headed off to junior college.

JUCO Junction/Rivalshoops.com will keep you posted on Holland's sophomore campaign throughout the winter, so stay tuned!