NBA India Games 2019: Fast facts on Indiana Pacers' wing Justin Holiday

Yash Matange

NBA India Games 2019: Fast facts on Indiana Pacers' wing Justin Holiday image

The Indiana Pacers, one of two teams participating in the first-ever NBA India Games, have a lot of depth for the wing spot on their roster. One of the players competing for minutes at that spot is journeyman Justin Holiday. 

Background

Justin Holiday was born in Mission Hills, California on April 5, 1989.  He is the eldest of three brothers, all of whom are in the NBA - Jrue (New Orleans Pelicans) and Aaron (Indiana Pacers).

High school & College experience

Justin attended the Campbell Hall School in Studio City, California, leading them to a 33-1 record and the state Class IV championship in his senior year.

MORE: Pacers' roster for the NBA India Games

For college, he committed to the University of Washington. 

Justin Holiday

He played all four years of college with the Huskies and was named to the Pac-10 All-Defensive Team in 2010. 

On the completion of those four seasons, he declared for the 2011 NBA Draft but when undrafted. 

European Pro career 

After going undrafted, Justin signed with the Belgian team Okapi Aalstar. Playing alongside former NBA player Chris Copeland on the squad, they became part of the team that won the Belgian Cup in 2012. 

In 2013, after being waived off by NBA teams (76ers - offseason, Utah Jazz - preseason), he signed with Szolnoki Olaj, a Hungarian franchise. There, he became a Hungarian League Champion. 

NBA career

Justin's 357 career NBA games have been split among six teams with a majority of them (137) coming in his second stint with the Chicago Bulls when he was with the team from 2017 to 2019. 

MORE: Pacers' best moments from the 2018-19 season

The most significant moment of his career has got to be holding the Larry O'Brien trophy. He became an NBA Champion in 2015 as a member of the Golden State Warriors.

Justin Holiday

He has represented a total of six teams in regular season games - New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks, and the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Pacers signed Justin as a free agent this past offseason to a 1-year, $4.8 million contract. 

Skill set

At 6-6, Justin fits in the current NBA's positionless brand of basketball. 

Despite playing for as many teams as nearly his years of service in the league, he has found decent chunk of minutes over the past three seasons. 

Since 2016-17, he has been averaging 27.6 minutes per game. In that time on the court, he's posted averages of 10.0 points and 3.6 rebounds on 35.4% shooting from long distance. The Pacers could use him as a limited minutes wing scorer off the bench. 

For more updates and stories on the NBA India Games 2019, you can follow NBA.com's page dedicated to the historic event.

Yash Matange

Yash Matange Photo