Mercer head coach Bob Hoffman announced the addition of former Wichita State player and Indian Hills transfer Ria’n Holland to the men's basketball program on Wednesday.
Holland, who will be eligible to play the 2016-17 academic year, comes to Mercer after playing one season at Indian Hills and two seasons prior at Wichita State. Holland will have two years of eligibility left at Mercer.
“Ria’n Holland is a winner,” said Mercer head coach Bob Hoffman. “He has competed for championships every place he has been from high school to college. Ria’n is all over the floor and can put his stamp on the game in many different ways. He goes about his business in the right way, he is a tireless worker.”
A native of Fayetteville, N.C., Holland is a 6-foot-0 guard out of South View High School. The standout signed with Wichita State and was with the Shockers for two seasons. After redshirting during the 2013-14 season, Holland averaged 8.5 minutes per game on a team that defeated Indiana and Kansas in the NCAA Tournament and reached the Sweet 16.
After the 2014-15 season in Wichita, Holland decided to transfer to NJCAA powerhouse Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa. The guard thrived last season, leading the team to a 29-5 record and a spot in the NJCAA National Tournament. He averaged 13.3 points per game, and ranked eighth in the NJCAA in three-point percentage with a mark of .504. Holland was a First Team Iowa Community College Athletic Conference member.
“Ria’n has been an absolute pleasure to coach,” said Indian Hills head basketball coach Hank Plona. “He plays with a passion that the Mercer basketball community will recognize and come to love very fast. I have no doubt that Ria’n is excited and prepared to help Coach Hoffman and the Mercer basketball program continue to be successful on the court, in the classroom and in the community.”
Before playing at the collegiate level Holland led South View High School to a 23-5 record during his senior season and broke former Duke star Jeff Capel’s school career three-point record with 153 makes. Holland was named the Mid-South 4A Player of the Year, NCBCA District 4 Player of the Year and NCPreps.com All-State as a senior.
“Mercer is getting a player that has received a wealth of experience over the last few years,” said Laney High School head coach Nathan Faulk. “Ria’n is a winner on and off the court. He will provide a knock-down shooting capability and tenacious defense for Mercer.”
