Pic Credit: Maxima Roma

Aaron Holiday (184-PG-1996, college: UCLA) is a 30 year old 184cm point guard playing his first season overseas for new Italian club Maxima Roma. He played the last 8 seasons in the NBA playing a total of 528 games for teams like the Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets. He began his basketball career with Campbell Hall High School and also played AAU with Cali Supreme. He then played at UCLA (NCAA) from 2015-2018 an dthen was drafted by the Indiana Pacers with the 23rd pick. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Eurocup game against the Frankfurt Skyliners.

Thanks Aaron for talking to germanhoops.com. After eight years in the NBA, you’re playing your first overseas season with Maxima Roma. Did you lose faith in the NBA?

No, I didn’t lose faith in the NBA. Right now I’m here in Rome, and my focus is on this team and helping us be the best we can be.

You couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful place to play overseas than Rome. What have you enjoyed most about Rome? Is there a favorite place that you have discovered in the first months?

Rome is a beautiful city. I haven’t done too much sightseeing yet because we’ve been in-season, but I did get to see the Colosseum. That was pretty cool.

You joined new team Maxima Rome. What kind of an experience has it been? The club is a rookie and so are you overseas. What have you enjoyed most about the organization?

The experience has been really good. It’s our first year together and we are getting better day by day: I’ve enjoyed seeing us grow, both as players and as an organization. It’s a different game from the NBA, and I’m still learning, but my teammates and coaches have done a great job helping me prepare for both EuroCup and LBA.

What has been the biggest adjustment for you so far on the court coming from the NBA? Have you noticed that there is overall less space to operate?

I wouldn’t say there’s just one thing. The spacing is different, but it’s all been a learning experience. I’m doing my best to adjust quickly and figure out how I can help my team win.

You’re averaging 5,0apg in both Serie A and Eurocup. With so much talent on the team, can you concentrate more on your good playmaking than having to score?

I don’t really go into a game thinking about one over the other. I just try to make the right play. We have a lot of talent, and that makes my job easier. I let the game dictate whether I need to score or get my teammates involved.

After high school you played 3 years at UCLA reaching 2 NCAA tournaments. How do you remember these years? What kind of player did you become there?

I loved my time at UCLA. Those three years helped me grow up on and off the court. I developed a lot as a player, and that’s where I really prepared myself to play professionally. I’m grateful for my time there.

What memories do you have of assistant coach Tyus Edney? He had an incredible career overseas. How did he help your game most in your last season at UCLA?

Tyus was someone I leaned on at UCLA. He was a great coach and a great person, and I could talk to him about things on and off the court. He’s one of the best point guards to ever come out of UCLA, so I tried to learn as much as I could from him.

You had some really big games at UCLA like having the winning shot with 0,2 seconds to play against Wisconsin as well as beating Kentucky to end their 42 game home winning streak. Which one of those wins meant the most to you?

Those were both great moments at UCLA. It’s hard to pick one. Honestly, I was just happy we got those wins.

How did head coach Steve Alford groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Alford had us playing fast, with a lot of NBA concepts. One thing he always talked about was “pace and space”, and that stuck with me. He taught us how to push the pace while keeping the floor spaced so the ball handler could get downhill. That’s something I’ve been able to use in the NBA and now overseas.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Lonzo Ball?

It’s hard to say, because we never had the chance to play one-on-one.

You played 3 years with the Indiana Pacers. What do you remember being your wake up call to being in the NBA?

Honestly, probably moving from California to Indiana and dealing with the winter. That was my first real experience with snow, and I was scared to drive in it. I had a Challenger, and every time I hit the gas the back end would slide out. It took me a few weeks, but I figured it out.

How special was playing that game against the Pelicans and having your other 2 brothers present? How would you describe each brother in one sentence?

That was a blessing and one of my favorite games I’ve ever played in. It felt like we were back in the front yard playing together. The only person missing was our sister. I’d describe both of them as my heroes: growing up, all I wanted to do was be like them.

You had many special games with the Pacers like giving Lebron James a 42 point loss or beating Minnesota 141-137 scoring 22 points. What was your favorite own performance?

Probably the game in Brooklyn when Justin and I both scored at least 20. Having a good game is always nice, but getting to share a night like that with my brother made it special.

In your fourth season you split time with Washington and Phoenix. What was it like sharing the floor with legend Chris Paul. What do you remember being the most important thing that you soaked up from him on the court?

CP is one of the best point guards to ever play, so I tried to learn as much as I could during my time there. His leadership really stood out. He made sure everyone knew where they needed to be, and he expected a lot from every player.

You played the 2022-2023 season with the Atlanta Hawks. What was this experience like playing with a top guard like Trae Young? Did you guys have some battles daily in practice? I’m sure you pushed each other much.

My time in Atlanta was great. I got to compete with one of the best point guards in the NBA every day in practice. Trae sees the floor so well and can shoot from deep. Going against him every day was good for me.

You played the last 3 years with the Houston Rockets. You had many memorable games against teams like OKC, New York, and Phoenix. What was your fondest moment on the court with the Rockets?

What stands out most is what we built together: we believed in what we were doing before a lot of people on the outside could see it. It felt good to be part of that. I get that same feeling here in Rome. We’re building something special!

You had played many times against Kevin Durant and last season you were teammates with him. What kind of a guy was he and did you have any meaningful conversations with him?

KD is a great player and a great person. He’s easy to talk to and willing to let you pick his brain. Being able to ask questions and learn from someone like him was one of the best parts of having him as a teammate.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in the NBA?

My brothers, Jrue and Justin.

Please list your 5 best teammates of all-time.

I’ve had too many great teammates to narrow it down to five. I’d probably put my brother Justin at the top, though. Getting to have him as a teammate was special.

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore.

MJ, Shaq, Kobe, LeBron, and Kareem. I know that’s five, but those are my guys.

Who is your GOAT?

I don’t really get into the GOAT debate. I’d rather just appreciate guys for how great they are during their time in the NBA.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

Yeah, I’ve watched both multiple times. I enjoyed both of them: they were funny and a good watch.

Thanks Aaron for the chat.