Richaun Holmes Flying Under Radar in Sixers' Frontcourt Logjam

In the Sixers' logjam of frontcourt players, Richaun Holmes often is mentioned toward the end of the list. Last year he entered the league playing behind Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor, and this season Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Dario Saric have been added to the mix.

But none of that has fazed Holmes as he diligently continues his development. He is not one to get caught up in depth charts or the constant chatter of overload at that position. Instead, he keeps his sights set on improving while staying prepared to maximize an opportunity when he receives it.

On Thursday, Holmes clocked a team-high 38 minutes as the injury-stricken Sixers battled into overtime against the Wizards. He scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds (six offensive) along with two blocks and two assists.

“I feel like we saw glimpses last year and I feel like his facial expressions tell the whole story,” Brett Brown said. “He is a determined, competitive young man and you see it all over his face.”

The Sixers came into the night shorthanded. In addition to Simmons, Noel (left groin soreness), Okafor (right knee soreness), Jerryd Bayless (sore left wrist), Nik Stauskas (left hamstring strain) and Cat Barber (right hand/wrist injury) did not play. Brandon Paul (right oblique muscle contusion) had to leave the game. 

So when Holmes landed on official Monty McCutchen during a jumpball in overtime and sprained his left ankle, Brown thought he had lost him too. Holmes pushed past it. 

“He wanted to get through it,” Brown said. “All those things highlight him as a competitor and we've seen his basketball skill displayed tonight.” 

Holmes averaged 5.6 points and 2.6 rebounds in 13.8 minutes per game last season as a rookie. He appeared in 51 games, between battling injuries and fighting his way onto the court behind more veteran reserves.

“You just go into the summer and use [it] to work as hard as you possibly can and get better,” Holmes said. “When the opportunity presents itself, just try to grab it by the horns. That's the kind of attitude I have. Whenever I get the opportunity, just play as hard as possible.”

Sixers president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo noted Holmes’ offseason progress on Media Day when addressing the bigs situation. While the Sixers are closely watching Holmes’ improvements, he is not in the spotlight like his other teammates. That’s just fine with Holmes. 

“I don't mind it,” he said. “It works better for me. I can just work hard in private and try to show it on the floor.”