Photo by Rick Hoppenrath
6’8’’ forward/center Richaun Holmes is literally the “big man on campus.” With his 36-inch-plus vertical leap and the wingspan of a 7-footer he is an enforcer on the court.
The first year product out of Lockport Township High School came to Moraine with an impressive resume. Holmes set the school record for blocks in a single season at Lockport with 150 and averaged nine points, seven rebounds and four blocks in his senior season. Besides his athletic ability Holmes also hits the books. Holmes received an outstanding 29 on his ACT exam. Holmes will be pursuing a playing career in professional basketball, and is majoring in psychology.
Holmes first picked up a basketball when he was five years old. Following in his three brothers footsteps, he continued to play the through high school. At Lockport, Holmes was an unstoppable force for the Porters. He was a bruiser on defense and solid on offense. Holmes’ athletic ability and stature strikes similarity between himself and his favorite athlete Kevin Durant, the 6’9’’ forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who boasts a 7’5’’ wingspan.
Holmes received numerous scholarship offers from NCAA Divison II schools but was determined to play at the top level: Division I. At the end of his senior season Holmes received a call from Moraine Valley’s head basketball coach Dedrick Shannon. Shannon promised he could make Holmes a stronger player and help him receive the Division I scholarships he wanted. Holmes trusted coach Shannon and he decided to play for the Cyclones.
On November 11, 2011, Shannon’s promise was fulfilled. Holmes signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the NCAA Division I Bowling Green State University Falcons out of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The Falcons, coached by former Chicago Bull Louis Orr and Dennis Hopson are a team on the rise. The Falcons have been a contender in the MAC for the past three seasons and are looking for a ticket to the big dance. “I really liked their coaches,” said Holmes. “ I like the way they competed at practice, and pretty much everything about the school.
As of January 12, Holmes is ranked 20in the NJCAA Division II in rebounds with 144 and leads the Division II in blocks with 104. Holmes also averages 16.6 points per game and has an outstanding field goal percentage of 61%. His statistics and intangibles have propelled the Cyclones to a national ranking for numerous weeks. The Cyclones have also seen a boost in their win total as they have already exceeded last season’s win total by two with 12 games left to be played.
Holmes has matured throughout the season for the Cyclones and looks like a very promising prospect for Bowling Green State University. Holmes and the Cyclones look to get back on track and contend for the Illinois Skyway Championship as well as the Region IV crown.
