(Photo: Zac Pacleb/WCSN)
A “true” point guard.
The title is an understated byproduct of modern-day basketball that is littered with shoot-first, pass-later ball handlers. Whether the trend stems from the success of current pros like Russell Westbrook and James Harden, or even from the aftershocks of NBA great Allen Iverson’s prime, smaller guys are coming out with the mindset of scoring buckets.
Call them what you wish: combo guards, heat-check guys, inbetweeners.
Arizona State had one of those types of players running the show the last two seasons in the form of Jahii Carson.
Having a score-first floor general has its advantages. Offenses can start faster, tempo can be increased, and an overall aggressiveness on the offensive end can be created. But the cons can be just as great: stagnant offenses, lack of ball distribution and players aimlessly standing around while the point guard looks for his shot.
On the other hand, a “true” point guard looks to create the best opportunities for their teammates. In the best cases, that player is an extension of the coach, and a certain offensive flow is created.
This season, ASU very well may have that type of player on their roster in the form of freshman guard Tra Holder.
During ASU’s media day, head coach Herb Sendek made the comment that Holder is the Sun Devils’ lone true point guard on the roster.
“Tra has a lot of ability. He’s been really good at distributing the ball,” Sendek said. “As he learns so much, we’re also asking him to be more vocal.”
The Trek to Tempe
Hailing from Brentwood School in Los Angeles, Calif., Holder rounded out Sendek’s 2014 prep recruiting class, joining local products Kodi Justice and Connor MacDougall.
The 6-foot-1 guard was a standout during his junior campaign, averaging 23 points, five assists and five rebounds per contest en route to earning first-team All-CIF Southern Division 4A honors.
“He’s done a really good job of getting his teammates open shots,” Sendek said.
Holder was ranked No. 132 in his class, according to Rivals.com, and picked ASU over offers from Florida State and San Diego State. Since arriving in Tempe, Holder has put “around 15 pounds” of muscle on his young frame, something that will help him against the bigger guards in the Pac-12.
With the additional strength and the solid court vision he has demonstrated, more and more buzz is being made about him making the start in his first collegiate game on November 14 against Chicago State.
“It’s all in my hands and how I come into a practice,” Holder said. “If I come in with a lackadaisical attitude, then I’m not going to fill the expectations that I have that I feel like I’m doing a good job, and we’ll see what happens.”
Replacing Jahii
- 18.6 points per game
- 153 assists
- Two-time first-team All Pac-12
Those are the shoes that Jahii Carson is leaving for whomever steps into the starting point guard role this season, yet Holder isn’t necessarily focusing on the pressure to replace Carson.
“I mean, I’m just trying to come in and do the best that I can, and whatever happens, happens,” Holder said.
Admittedly, Holder feels that he is a different player than Carson was for ASU.
“I can score sometimes, but I think that, with my role on this team, getting my teammates involved would be more beneficial to the team,” Holder said. “I can score if I need to, but I’d rather get my teammates involved.”
With as many moving, new and inexperienced parts as the Sun Devils have on the roster, having a facilitator to help ease the transition will be a big boost in the process for ASU.
That being said, that much responsibility is a lot to put on the shoulders of a true freshman, and for Holder, the biggest challenge come in directing his new teammates.
“It’s definitely been a learning experience,” Holder said. “Just transitioning from high school, I have to be more of a vocal leader on and off the court, and coach Herb and the rest of the coaches have been on me about that, so just adjusting to that will only improve my game and the team.”
So many questions surround the Sun Devils, but Holder hopes to solidify one thing: He’s ready. In less than two weeks, we’ll find out if that holds true.
You can reach Zac Pacleb on Twitter @ZacPacleb or via email at zacpacleb@gmail.com
