Dante Holmes
Dante Holmes (born September 27, 1991) is an American professional basketball player for the Glasgow Rocks of the British Basketball League (BBL) in Scotland. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, he played high school basketball at Northeast power, St. Frances Academy of The Baltimore Catholic League (BCL) and Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association. Holmes played college basketball at North Carolina Central University.
Early life
Holmes' was born in Baltimore, Maryland. As a youngster he played wide receiver and defensive end for Baltimore Pop Warner power Northwood Rams. He played basketball at Madison Square Recreation Center He played AAU for the Baltimore Stars and Team Melo. His grandfather, James Dickey Kelly was one of the first high school basketball stars at the famed Dunbar Poets High School in Baltimore in the late 1960s.
High school career
As a freshman at St. Frances Academy, Holmes played varsity. He scored 11 points and had 3 rebounds in his first high school basketball game. As a three-year starter, he helped lead the St. Frances Panthers to two Baltimore Catholic League Championships and two Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association Championships. As a junior, he helped St. Frances defeat #5 ranked Dematha Catholic High School 64-58 in the 49th Annual Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament scoring 34 points and adding 9 rebounds. The 2008-09 season, the Panthers went undefeated in league play in the Baltimore Catholic League and Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association regular season and tournaments. St. Frances Academy finished that year with a record of 33-5 and nationally ranked 24th in the country by ESPN. Senior season was MVP at the Spalding Hoophall Classic Hall of Fame game. Two time Baltimore Sun All Metro selections and two time BCL and M.I.A.A. selections.
College career
As a Redshirt Senior (2015-16) Preseason and Postseason Second Team All-MEAC selection. Played 29 games and started 27 and averaged 33.6 minutes per game to lead the team. Led NCCU in scoring with a career-high 15.5 points per game and finished seventh in the MEAC in that stat. Averaged a career-high 5.0 rebounds per game and shot a career-best 41.0 percent from the field. Played 35+ minutes 15 times, and 40 minutes nine times. Knocked down a career-high 74 three-pointers and finished in the top-10 of the MEAC in both shooting percentage from the arc (37.6) and treys made per contest (2.6). Scored in double-figures 26 times, 20+ points eight times, and led NCCU in scoring 11 times. Earned MEAC Player of the Week honors Feb. 22 after averaging 22.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game while scoring 20+ points over four consecutive games. Dropped a career-high 26 points in his season debut at LIU Brooklyn (Nov. 22) and shot 64.3 percent from the floor. Led team in rebounding eight times including a game where he notched a double-double with 25 points and a career-high tying 12 rebounds against Florida A&M (Feb. 15).
As a Redshirt Junior (2014-15) Named Third Team All-MEAC. Started all 33 games averaging 28.3 minutes per game. Averaged a career-high 10.4 points per game and led team in steals at 1.3 per game. Shot 40.7 percent from the field and pulled down 4.7 rebounds per game. Played 35+ minutes four times and 40 minutes twice. Scored a career high 19 points twice, at Maryland Eastern Shore (Dec. 5) and against Coppin State (Jan. 24). Led team in scoring twice, with 14 points against Eastern Illinois (Nov. 28) and 15 points against IUPUI (Dec 29). Led team in rebounding five times including a career-high 12 boards at ETSU (Jan. 31). Scored in double-figures 15 times. Shot 3-for-3 from downtown against Coppin State (Jan. 24) making first five shots, finished game 6-for-8.
As a Redshirt Sophomore (2013-14) After having to sit for first half of the season due to NCAA Transfer Rules he led the Eagles and scored a season-high 15 points during a NCCU home victory over Hampton (Jan. 7) during his second appearance of the season. Scored in double-figures two times this season and collected a season-best eight rebounds and two assists vs. Coppin State (Jan. 25). Made his NCCU debut against Maryland on Dec. 31 scoring nine points on 2-for-4 shooting, including a 4-for-5 effort from the foul line in 12 minutes. Finished the year shooting 40.7 percent from three-point range (11-for-27), and 14-for-19 (73.7 percent) from the foul line.
Freshman year attended Florida Gulf Coast. As a Freshman (2011-12) Turned in a productive first year with 8.4 points and 2.3 rebounds per game … made 11 starts in 28 games played … shot a solid 47 percent from the field (90-192) … reached double figures 11 times in his last 20 games … led the team in scoring one time, going for 16 points on 6-of-11 from the field in a win over MAC foe Toledo (Dec. 22) … fourth on the team with 32 steals thanks to coming away with a theft in 21 contests … came away with a season-high three steals on two occasions … third on the team in scoring during Atlantic Sun play at a 8.6 per game clip … made first career start in front of family and friends at Loyola Maryland (Nov. 27), finishing with seven points and four boards … provided a big spark off the bench with 15 points against USC Upstate (Dec. 19) to start a string of three straight double figure outings … followed season-high 16 points against Toledo with 12 points and five rebounds over 33 minutes in a win against Maine (Dec. 29) … had 11 points in 19 minutes during overtime win at Lipscomb (Jan. 14) … turned in his best game in league action in a win at Stetson in the A-Sun/CSS Friday Night Game of the Week, going for 14 points, four rebounds and three assists in 29 minutes off the pine … made 5-of-6 from the field against the Hatters, including both three-point attempts … followed with 13 points and a season-high six caroms in a win over Longwood (Jan. 24) in the non-conference finale … finished second three-game double figure stretch with 11 points against Kennesaw State (Jan. 28) … reached double figures in four of the last five A-Sun regular season games.
References
Miller, Kenny "Right at Holmes" [] The Scottish Sun
Matthews, Mike (March 21, 2009) "Holmes carries St. Frances into title game." []
Laplante, Mike (January 18, 2010) "Parker breaks onto national scene." []
Bracken, Matt (August 6, 2011) [] The Baltimore Sun