Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Aaron Holiday has built a solid NBA career as a dependable guard who brings speed, perimeter shooting, and steady ball-handling to the backcourt. Whether starting or providing production off the bench, Holiday’s poise, defensive effort, and ability to contribute in multiple roles have made him a reliable option throughout his time in the league.

Here’s a detailed profile of Aaron Holiday:

  • Full Name: Aaron Shawn Holiday
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born September 30, 1996
  • Hometown: Ruston, Louisiana, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 meters)
  • Weight: 185 pounds (84 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 meters)
  • Shoe Size: 12 (US)
  • Number: 3 (currently wears this number, though it may vary by team)
  • Position: Point Guard / Shooting Guard
  • High School:Campbell Hall School (Los Angeles, California)
  • College: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA Bruins)
  • NBA Draft: Selected in the first round, 23rd overall pick by the Indiana Pacers in 2018
  • Teams Played For:
    1. Indiana Pacers (2018–2021)
    2. Washington Wizards (2021–2022)
    3. Phoenix Suns (2022)
    4. Atlanta Hawks (2022–2023)
    5. Houston Rockets (2023–present)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Kids: Two children and a step-daughter
  • Siblings:
    • Brother: Jrue Holiday (NBA player)
    • Brother: Justin Holiday (NBA player)
    • Sister: Lauren Holiday (played college basketball at UCLA)

The player archetype for Aaron Holiday is a reserve scoring point guard who provides steady ball-handling, perimeter shooting, and dependable depth across the backcourt. Although undersized by NBA standards at 6-foot with a compact, quick frame, Holiday competes hard at the point of attack, using active hands and lateral speed to pressure opposing guards rather than overpower them. His offensive value comes from making simple reads, knocking down catch-and-shoot threes, and pushing the tempo when opportunities arise, while he can also create enough off the dribble to keep second units organized. Holiday rarely dominates possessions, yet he has carved out a long NBA career by fitting comfortably alongside higher-usage teammates, embracing complementary responsibilities, and delivering composed, low-mistake minutes whenever his number is called.

Scouting Report

Aaron Holiday has always looked most comfortable when the game speeds up just enough for quick decisions to matter more than elaborate creation. He’s an aggressive pull-up threat if defenders duck under ball screens, but what I find more interesting is how he manipulates angles coming off a pick-and-roll, keeping his dribble alive for an extra beat until a passing lane opens instead of forcing the first read. He doesn’t overwhelm defenses with size or burst, so his offense is built on timing, balance, and a willingness to shoot without hesitation whenever the defense gives him daylight. The trade-off is that extended on-ball responsibility can expose his limitations. Bigger defenders can shrink his driving lanes, and possessions become less efficient when he’s asked to generate difficult shots late in the clock. Defensively, though, he competes with an edge that belies his frame. He gets into ball handlers early, fights over screens rather than conceding switches, and is quick to stunt toward the nail before recovering back to shooters, disrupting actions without gambling himself out of position. That’s where his value separates from many reserve guards. Coaches can trust him to keep the structure of a defense intact while providing enough perimeter shooting to fit alongside higher-usage creators. Put him next to a primary initiator and let him alternate between secondary pick-and-rolls, spot-up opportunities, and defensive pressure at the point of attack, and his game becomes much cleaner than if he’s asked to orchestrate every possession. To me, his overall profile resembles Jevon Carter with a little more comfort operating off the dribble, while there are flashes of D.J. Augustin in the way he uses pace and pull-up shooting to create just enough separation without relying on overwhelming physical tools.

Player Insight

Aaron Holiday comes from one of the NBA’s most accomplished basketball families, with older brothers Jrue Holiday and Justin Holiday each enjoying long professional careers. Growing up in that environment likely accelerated his understanding of the game and helped prepare him for the demands of the NBA, although his longevity is ultimately a product of his own work and reliability. Entering the 2024-25 season, Holiday projected as a depth option in Houston’s crowded backcourt, making consistent point guard minutes difficult to earn unless injuries created an opportunity. Even so, he gave the Rockets a dependable veteran capable of stepping into either guard spot without disrupting the team’s structure. I’ve long appreciated Holiday’s defensive competitiveness and professional approach, qualities that have helped him remain a trusted rotation player despite limited opportunities. (Last updated: Aug. 30, 2024).