Interest germinating for Holmes

Ron Bailey, Publisher

January 7, 2008 – The collegiate basketball scene is a closed world, with only a relative handful of scholarships for a small number of student-athletes, plucked from a much larger pool of possible players. That exclusivity is heightened in basketball, a sport that enjoys wide-spread appeal, but in college only necessitates a maximum of 15 people per squad, of which only 13 receive a scholarship (at the Division I level). It’s truly a buyer’s market.

With that in mind, many talented, high school senior hoopers must forgo the early (Fall) Letter of Intent signing period, and wait until the spring to both receive a scholarship and commit to a school. Denzell Holmes is one such student-athlete.

When asked if people have told him he is too unselfish at times, Holmes smiled before saying "Yes, I've heard it before". Nevertheless, that willingness to play team ball should be viewed as a positive.

Standing around 6’3” and weighing 160 pounds, Holmes, a student with a GPA around 3.0, has averaged around 15.3 points, six or seven rebounds and three assists to date at Suitland High School (MD), good numbers indeed, but presently has not received a Division I scholarship offer. Nevertheless, several, including Longwood, and Farleigh Dickerson have all supplied significant interest.

“I would like to go to a Division I school, but I’m exploring every opportunity” shared Denzell of alternatives, which exist, as Barton (Div. II), Bowie State (Div. II), Randolph-Macon (Div. III) and Metropolitan (Div. III) have all expressed serious interest in their own rights. Prep school is also a possiblity.

Much of his current interest was generated this and past summers, playing for Triple Threat (AAU), though his travel team season was cut short due to injury. Holmes is gracious for the opportunity. “They got me more exposure and got me better” said of the organization, founded and led by Keith Stevens. “They taught me how to play team ball”.

Presently, Holmes is a slashing offensive player, also capable of canning spot up jumpers and defending. As an intelligent player, he also knows increased ball handling development is necessary to round out his game. In doing so, he can add to his family’s legacy, as Denzell is related to the Smith’s, one of D.C.’s prime basketball families, producing Georgetown great and NBA pro Charles Smith, along with his brother, street legend Curt.

Will Holmes have the opportunity to add to his family’s legacy? It’s not only probably, but likely; schools can use players like him. Stay tuned for updates.