By his own admission, Tra Holder didn’t expect to commit while unofficially visiting Arizona State on Saturday. Yet the 2014 Brentwood (Calif.) High School point guard was plenty impressed with his experience, which was why he gave his pledge to the Sun Devils on the trip.
“I have great relationships with the coaches,” Holder said, “and the program represents a great opportunity for me. The campus is beautiful and I love the school, but this (the decision) was more about the people I met. It just felt like this could be my home for the next four years.
“I don’t know if the coaches were surprised that I committed, but they were very happy. I thought before this visit that I would want to weigh my options more, but during this visit, I realized this is the place for me.”
During his junior year, the 6-foot-1, 170-pound Holder averaged 23 points, five rebounds and five assists per game and helped Brentwood advance to the state tournament. He followed that solid campaign with a strong showing in the April evaluation period, playing for the Earl Watson’s Pangos Elite AAU Club, which netted the three-star recruit offers from Arizona State and Florida State, among others.
In previous interviews, Holder said that he models his game after Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul, but the ASU staff apparently sees similarities to someone more recognizable in Tempe -- and a player Holder could very well replace once he arrives in Tempe.
“The coaches said that my game reminds them of Jahii Carson,” Holder described. “I’m a fast point guard that likes to push the ball and play fast, and they think I really fit their offense. I’m an up-tempo player that plays well off ball screens and penetrates the lane. I can score and get my teammates involved. I’m also a good defender who likes to challenge players.
“I met Jahii Carson and Carrick Felix on the visit, and they told me how much the coaches take care of you here and help you get better. Coach Johnson is recruiting me, and I like how he keeps it real with me and tells me what I need to improve on to be a better point guard. He’s a great person to look up to.”
Holder will play for Earl Watson’s Pangos Elite during the AAU season in July, and ASU’s newest pledge also plans to attend some point guard camps later in the year. An official visit to Tempe is planned for the fall, as Holder is scheduled to sign during the November signing period.
