Caleb Holt’s name is becoming a household word among basketball fans. The NCAA’s next big star is still a year away from graduating from Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia, but he’s already thinking big.
Projected as a 5-star recruit and coveted by most of the top college programs in the country, Holt has shown a maturity unbecoming of a 17-year-old player.
Caleb Holt’s Work Ethic
In a recent interview for the popular podcast The Field of 68, the Class of 2026 recruit talked about what sets him apart as a player, including his ability to grab rebounds, which is rare for a guard like himself. In this regard, he mentioned that it is part of his work ethic and said that he identifies with the mindset of NBA star Kawhi Leonard.
“I’m an all-around guard. You know I rebound, I defend…Like Kawhi [Leonard] said: ‘boardman gets paid’. So, I can separate myself just for the energy I bring to the game,” Holt said.
“I can score the ball, but I can play defense. I can do a whole lot more than just two things. I feel like I can I get a lot of steals and I just impact the game in a lot of different ways.”
Leonard’s mentality dates back to his years playing at San Diego State University.
“It’s about working hard, basically, outworking the opponent,” Leonard said in 2019. “Rebounds help you win games. Big rebounds, offensive rebounds, limiting the team to one shot and that used to be our motto.”
So not only is Holt a versatile player with elite athleticism and two-way dominance, but he also puts in the hard work to match his impressive basketball skills. It’s no wonder he’s being pursued by half the NCAA.
Sought After by Many Options
The player himself mentioned some of the programs that have already shown interest in him:
“Talking to, you know, Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss, Houston, Georgia Tech, Georgia, Texas A&M, Kansas, Kentucky,” Holt said. “I went on my first official visit to Ole Miss, so that was pretty fun. I’m starting to take my official visits, so, I’ll probably take some August to that November slide and I’ll probably commit around December.”
KEEP READING: Kelvin Sampson, Houston Cougars Target 5-Star Georgia HS Prospect Caleb Holt
Kansas and Kentucky stand out in the group, two of the teams Holt could be able to play on from day one. The Jayhawks reached the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament (losing to Arizona) and didn’t make it past the first round of the NCAA Tournament (losing to Arkansas).
The Wildcats also reached the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament (losing to Alabama) and the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament (losing to Tennessee).
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
