Last Updated on July 21, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Richaun Holmes made his mark in the NBA with relentless energy, efficient interior scoring, and a trademark floater that became one of the league’s most reliable shots for a big man. His hustle on the glass, rim-running ability, and high motor have consistently made Holmes a productive frontcourt contributor whenever given the opportunity.

Here’s a detailed profile of NBA player Richaun Holmes:

  • Full Name: Richaun DeShawn Holmes
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born October 15, 1993
  • Hometown: Lockport, Illinois, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 10 inches (208 cm)
  • Weight: 235 pounds (107 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 feet 1 inch (216 cm)
  • Shoe Size: Approximately 14 (US)
  • Number: 22
  • Position: Center / Power Forward
  • High School: Lockport Township High School (Lockport, Illinois)
  • College: Bowling Green State University
  • NBA Draft: 2015, 2nd round, 37th overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers
  • Teams Played For:
    • Philadelphia 76ers (2015–2018)
    • Phoenix Suns (2018–2019)
    • Sacramento Kings (2019–2023)
    • Dallas Mavericks (2023–present)
  • Championship Rings: None (as of August 2024)
  • Kids: 1 son
  • Siblings:
    • He has three brothers and one sister.

The player archetype for Richaun Holmes is an energetic rim-running center whose best work comes as a finisher and interior presence. Strongly built at 6-foot-9 with a long wingspan and impressive leaping ability, Holmes creates offense by sprinting into ball screens, crashing the offensive glass, and converting efficiently around the basket, while his trademark one-handed push shot became a reliable scoring weapon from the lane during his peak seasons in Sacramento. He protects the paint through activity and timing more than sheer size, challenging shots at the rim and providing solid help defense, though larger post scorers can create difficult matchups. Holmes has never needed designed plays to stay productive; his value comes from constant movement, quick dives to the rim, and the energy he injects into a rotation whenever he earns meaningful minutes.

Scouting Report

Richaun Holmes has always been one of those centers whose offense is built around timing rather than volume. The first thing you notice is how quickly he gets into screens, flips his hips, and dives before the defense has fully organized its coverage, creating passing windows simply by forcing the low man to make an early decision. His push shot is more than a novelty; it changes the geometry of pick-and-roll defense because bigs can’t retreat all the way to the rim without giving him a comfortable release from the middle of the floor. That short floater also means he doesn’t need to overpower defenders to finish possessions. He’ll seal deep when the opportunity is there, but most of his scoring comes from slipping into space, beating rotating defenders to the spot, and finishing before help can recover. Defensively, the effort and mobility stand out, particularly when he’s asked to contain ball handlers for a step before recovering to the paint, but the trade-off is that his lack of size against stronger centers can become an issue over the course of a game. Physical post players are capable of moving him off his preferred spots, and offenses with elite spacing can force him into difficult choices as the low man. Even so, I’ve always thought he’s more comfortable in an aggressive scheme than one that asks him to sit deep in drop coverage possession after possession. His feet are quick enough to show higher at the level of the screen, disrupt the ball, then sprint back into the play. That’s where his game feels most natural. Put him alongside guards who consistently pressure the rim and reward hard rolls, and his offensive value climbs because he doesn’t need touches designed specifically for him. To me, his overall profile sits somewhere between Montrezl Harrell’s activity around the basket and Brandon Clarke’s ability to score efficiently without dominating the ball, though Holmes relies far more on timing, touch, and subtle movement than explosive vertical athleticism.

Player Insights

Richaun Holmes looked like one of the league’s best value signings during his peak in Sacramento, developing into a highly efficient starting center who flirted with a double-double on a nightly basis while providing reliable rim protection. His role changed dramatically during the 2022-23 season, however, as his minutes fell sharply and he dropped out of the regular rotation. In my view, a change of scenery was exactly what Holmes needed, and joining Dallas gave him a better opportunity to rebuild his value. I still believe he has the ability to contribute meaningful minutes as a backup center on a playoff-caliber team thanks to his finishing, rebounding, and energy around the basket. Landing with a Mavericks team expected to contend was a positive outcome for both Holmes and the organization. (Written: Aug. 30, 2024)