The G League Fall Invitational is one of the year’s most eagerly anticipated basketball competitions. The NBA season and a new draft cycle, the Fall Invitational, which drew inspiration from the clash between Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson the previous year, began following the completion of the FIFA World Cup. During their fourth season, the Henderson, Nevada-based G League Ignite hosted two games against the Perth Wildcats of the Australian NBL.
Perth’s Alexandre Sarr displayed glimpses of his brilliance, G League Ignite’s Ron Holland and Matas Buzelis both demonstrated their promise as probable top-five choices in just 28 minutes of play. Holland—one of the few players to rank #1 in 2024—led G League Ignite with 23 points, five rebounds, and three steals in the first game. Buzelis also ended with 16 points on 13 shots, two blocks, and five rebounds.
Ron Holland’s dynamite performance
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Holland certainly had the appearance of the top selection in the class, ready to take the lead. Holland is a graduate of Duncanville High and has two gold medals from his stellar performances for Team USA in the 2022 U17 World Cup and the 2021 U16 Americas.
The former Texas signee has demonstrated tremendous growth and development as an offensive weapon and is expected to emerge as the most exciting long-term talent on a loaded G League Ignite squad this season. Holland, who can affect the game on both ends, was extremely effective as usual, going 18 of 32 from the field and grabbing eight steals in the two games.
The major criticism leveled at him before the cycle was that he only made four out of nine three-pointers. The most encouraging aspect of these photos was the innovation with which Holland approached them. Sometimes he just needs to draw up an elbow dribble, while other times he has to piece together a cross-over and a step-back for a difficult play.
Matas Buzelis, the icon of Ignite
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Thanks to his combination of height and skill, Matas Buzelis, who came to Ignite via Sunrise Christian Academy (KS), is already among the top five prospects for 2024. After putting up 33 points and three blocks in the two exhibition games against Perth, it’s hard to be dissatisfied with Buzelis.
Given how brilliantly Holland and Sarr played, he wasn’t the star of the show, but he still looked every bit the potential lottery selection, playing active defense and using his length to create plays as a scorer and facilitator when given the ball.
We witnessed even more of his unique attributes this week, as he displayed some exceptional defensive plays and thrilling offensive bursts. He has a giant wing. Few players possess his 6-foot-10 frame, versatile skill set, and fluid mobility when handling the ball.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
