Things we learned chatting with Texas Legends player Aric Holman:
- He plays basketball for the Texas Legends. But what you might not expect is that baseball was his first love.
- He uses humor to break the ice because he doesn’t want people to be intimidated by him and his size.
- I have some homework to do to make sure I watch Glory Road.
- Because he didn’t have a lot growing up, he takes to heart the opportunity to give back to others.
- It’s a match made in heaven for the Texas Legends, for whom community is the name of the game.
Aric won us over, so listen, enjoy, and laugh a little.
Enjoy episode #53 featuring Aric Holman. And, listen to more episodes from the Hustle & Pro archives.
Show Notes
- [00:30] All Star Weekend, 3-Pt Contest, Dunk Contest
- [01:50] Quick Hits
- [03:30] Baseball
- [07:15] Off the Court Holman brings leadership and laughter
- [09:00] Describing Aric’s Journey
- [11:25] Giving back & his simple message to kids: Stay positive and be the best you can be
- [13:55] Goals, Cars & #142
Resources within this episode:
- Texas Legends: Website | Instagram @texaslegends | Twitter: @TexasLegends
- Texas Legends on Lifestyle Frisco
- Aric Holman: Instagram @aric_holman | Twitter: @AricHolman
- Kelly Walker: Instagram @kelly_walkertexas | Twitter: @kelly_walker_TX
Connect with Lifestyle Frisco:
Transcript: (machine-generated)
Welcome to Hustle and Pro Season Two talking sports in Frisco from youth to pro. Now here’s your host, Kelly Walker.
Welcome to today’s episode of Hustle and Pro. We’re talking with Aric Holman today. Aric is a Texas Legends player, so we’re going to hear from him about his journey to the G league and what he brings to this team on and off the court. Hey Aric, welcome.
Thank you for having me.
Yeah, thanks for coming. First of all, I want to get your opinion kind of fresh in my mind as we’re turning this all star weekend break here. Did you watch all star weekend coverage and activities?
Yes, ma’am.
All right, so what, what are your thoughts on like, um, three point shoot out the new, the new green ball. I can’t remember what it was, a sponsored ball, but whatever that green ball was. Do you like that new addition?
Uh, yes. I like it a lot just because of the transition of the game. You know, people were starting to shoot further out and not as close to the deeper line. So it’s letting them show their talents. Also while they’re having fun.
So you’re a three point shooter? Yes.
Yes ma’am.
Where would your Moneyball rack be when you get to shoot in three point competition?
I would probably see the left corner.
Left corner?
Yes.
So not the baseline, but the next one over. So do you make that your second shot or your second to last shot? You know how like most of them wait and have their Moneyball rack at the end. You think that’s a good strategy or are they too tired?
Um, it just depends on where, where you feel like your heart at, you know, where you know you’re gonna knock down shots in. So I would put mine last.
Okay. So save it till the end. You get that rhythm going. So what about the dunk contest? It was a controversy a little year. So did you grow up watching dunk contest?
Yes ma’am. Yes.
So what are your favorite, like when you think of your favorite dunk contest memories, who is it?
Oh, definitely say that. Does that Levine and Aaron Gordon year? Yes.
All right. So speaking of Aaron Gordon, so, well, what’s your favorite? Like are those your favorite guys? Dunkers like dunking style guys or was that just your favorite like competition?
Yeah. Oh, that was just my favorite competition.
Who’s your favorite person to watch dunk?
Um, I’ll probably say uh, Shawn Kemp.
Okay.
You know, he’s an older guy, but this is what he bring to the game as he’s dunking. You know, it was pretty, pretty cool to watch.
Yeah. So there was controversy this year because, um, what they had to go extra rounds and I dunno, I don’t think they all had it all figured out beforehand.
So that was kind of part of the problem. Now the judges are saying they thought it was going to be one way or the other. So, um, what was your favorite thing? This, that we saw a lot of new stuff this year. So what was your favorite thing you saw on the slam dunk this year?
I mean there, there was creativity there, you know, but just basically the main thing was just guys is you don’t just having fun and seeing what um, Derrick Jones jr could do, you know, know. I mean, people know him for jumping and just so for him to be able to be on that stage and do good, you know, it’s, it’s a great thing.
Yeah. He was fun to watch. He just has like a, he just looks good in the air. He’s all this low Mo’s. He looks really, you know, like picturesque that he can do. Okay. So some quick hits to kind of get to know you in your personal sports style a little better.
What’s your favorite sports movie?
A favorite sports movie would probably be Glory Road.
Glory Road. That’s a new answer. I haven’t gotten that one yet. Okay. Who is your favorite athlete of all time?
LeBron James.
LeBron. I was quick easy. What’s your favorite sport to watch basketball. Definitely.
What’s your favorite sport? To play baseball. Okay. That’s where I was, I was wondering that because I’ve read that about you. Right? So, um, you’ve talked about how baseball, how much you love baseball and it was a big part of your life. So tell me a little more about that. Like when did you get the bug for baseball?
Um, I would say I was around like eight or nine, you know, I was just hanging out, uh, stayed over with one of my friends and he had a baseball game the next day. So I went with him and his family and I was just out there. I just picked up the glove and just started throwing back and forth with him. And his dad was like, have you ever played? I was like, no sir. He’s like, do you want to play? I was like, yeah. So I would say probably like a week or so later, you know, they ended up kicking me on the team and I just fell in love with it, uh, after that.
So you just naturally could like pick up the ball and could throw and catch on day one?
Yes ma’am.
That’s interesting. Cause, I mean I’ve got little little ones and I’ve coached a little league and it takes a while sometimes for boys to figure that part of it out. So you already knew right away that you could do it, like you were ready to go play?
I wouldn’t say I, I knew [inaudible] but when I seen how, how they were playing, like just catching it or whatever, I kind of just, you know, put it in perspective like okay that looks easy, you know, so I just tried it.
And when did you start pitching?
I would, I would say that same year, you know, just because I was bigger than everybody, but you know, um, I already didn’t perfect my craft until probably like three years later, you know, um, cause I was so much bigger so I threw the ball harder, you know, so they want me to put, they wanted to put me on the mountain, but I really didn’t have control of it, um, at the time. So it takes some time. But I definitely fell in love with it though. With the process.
And you played through high school? Yes. For your high school team?
Yes ma’am.
Okay. So at what point did you realize you had to make a decision for not be a two sport athlete? Two sport athlete through high school, right?
Yes.
Okay.
I wouldn’t say it was a decision, um, to be honest. You know, uh, um, baseball was my first love, you know, um, I feel like I was going to go to college for it, you know, do some things with that. But there was a time where me and my uh, coach got in, got into it with baseball and he told me stop playing like travel basketball, you know, focus on baseball and it kinda hurt me. So ever since that day I set my glove down and you know, just, you know, he motivated me to be where I’m at now.
Wow.
I think coaches influence dual sport athletes a lot more than people realize. I mean the pressure you get to, to focus on one or to drop the other one from the coaches. It’s maybe not always, you know, your household or even you or your friends. But it can be the coaches that drive you in one direction or the other. Absolutely.
Okay. So tell me what you feel like off the court or, I’m sorry. Let’s start with on the court. So on the court, tell me what do you bring to your team? What have you brought in the past? Where do you bring into the legends? Right now?
I want to say right now, just, um, just bring in, um, like an a, a leader standpoint, you know, just keeping everybody on their toes, you know, while still joking and making people laugh, you know, um, I feel like you shouldn’t go a day without laughing, you know? So, um, I bring that into also our brain, you know, the ability to play the game and think it through. So I cherish that.
So if I asked one of your teammates, so if I asked one of your teammates to describe you and your personality, what do you think their answer is?
Um, probably say one of the funniest guys ever met around. I asked him behind the scenes said, Hey, I’m going to interview Aric coming up cause he’s been on this podcast before. So I said I’m going to interview Aric. What, what do you say to describe him? And so his two words to describe you are funny and entertaining. Have you always been that guy?
Absolutely. Absolutely. You know, cause you know, most of the time when I come in the room, you know, I’m the tallest person there so I don’t want people to feel, you know, awkward or weird. So I kind of just burst the bubble and you know, introduce myself and just be me.
So you use it as kind of a icebreaker so that people aren’t as intimidated by you. You don’t want people to be intimidated by you?
No, not at all. All right. So what do, I mean, so you’re funny, like are you like always cracking jokes, picking on people? What’s your like, what’s your style? I’ve heard you miked up with the legend. So I know it’s funny, he just always cracking jokes. Absolutely. Cracking jokes. You know, I’m, I, I’m, I love movies. I love crack or like, you know, saying like movie lines, like, you know, at the right moment though. Like it has to match the moment, you know, dancing, you know, singing, just doing a little bit of everything.
What movie lines are you quoting or what movies from?
Because I mean, I’m much older than you, so I’m curious because like when you were born, I was picking out my college, you know, first year of college stuff and getting settled at Texas Tech. So what movie lines is a 22 year old quoting?
I would say, uh, obviously Glory Road. Um, The Longest Yard training day. Something from one of the Friday movies. Um, just, yeah, just a little bit of everything.
Okay. All right. So I want to talk about your kind of your basketball paths. So you were an undrafted, um, you were undrafted and then you went to the Lakers for a little bit before making your way to the Mavs. Now you’re doing your thing here in Frisco and seem to be in a good place. I feel like this team is, or you’re a good fit for this team in this community is a good fit for you. So looking back, when you look back on where you are here and your time in Frisco, so how do you want this to be described like as a part of your journey?
Um, I want it to be described as, you know, just a part of life that, that I became successful in. You know, um, obviously, you know, this game, the NBA, it’s not going anywhere. So, you know, you basically, you gotta be patient and just take one day at a time and just go with the, go with the flow, you know.
So I mean, it’s the G league, it’s the developmental league. So what have you already felt so far? Um, change and grow as for you personally?
Um, you know, people describe the G league, like it’s going to be easy or whatever, but it’s not, you know, there’s great players in, there are great coaches and great organizations just like the one I’m in now. So, um, I would say, um, basically just not taking this, this opportunity for granted, you know, that’s the biggest thing because, you know, yes it’s the development league, but it’s also a chance to showcase your talent and who you are off the court, you know, you never know where it could lead after basketball.
So, speaking of that, so I hear that you’re a giver, like you’ve kind of been known, um, as a volunteer in your community. So why is that important to you personally?
Oh, to be honest, just because I didn’t have that growing up, you know, um, I had role models, but you know, I would say they kind of let me down at one point in life. So, but they always, um, stayed on my back, you know, telling me like, yo, you can’t do this or, you know, so I took advantage of that and just makes sure that I give back. And, and, um, just go speak to people to speak to kids, you know, cause all you need is one just to motivate, you know, another one and another one after that. So I just take that to heart and yeah.
When you say people telling you like, you, you can’t do this or that, you mean like in a negative way, like keeping you down and so you had to go pull yourself back up.
No, I would say a definitely positive.
Okay. Okay. Say you can’t do that, like stay out of trouble. Don’t go get in trouble.
Exactly. Like you see your friends going to a party, you can’t go there. We’re not letting you go down that road, you know, because you see where it got me and I can’t let you do that, you know? And, and I cherished him every day. Every time I go home, I talk to them, you know, the same guys. You don’t, probably twice a month, you know, and they’re still around now, today, you know, it’s too much like older people that are, or your peers, peer coaches and I would say best friends, peers. Um, and older guys that you know, maybe grew up with, with my siblings, you know, and watched me grow.
So then when you step foot in a school here in town, I know the Legends are really good. That’s why I feel like when I say community fit with you, they’re so good about being out in the community. Right? And working with kids or just different organizations and groups that people that might need support. So when you walk into a school or you’re talking to a group of kids, like what is your message to them?
Um, I would say when I stepped into schools, um, it’s simple, you know, just pay attention to everything, you know, learn as much as you can and just stay positive and be the best you can be. You know, that, that’s all it takes. Are you a goal setter? Absolutely.
What so are you, I’m always curious when I talk to professional athletes like, um, cause you don’t just get here because somebody else put you here, right? You probably hopefully set small goals along the way or big longterm goals. So like off the court goals versus on, and I’m always wondering, are you setting seasonal goals, game goals, monthly angles, four year plans? Like how do you look at your path?
I always start small with my goals, you know, I don’t want to, you know, think too big or get outside the box, you know, too early. So, um, I started small with, you know, maybe with my workout plan or w what I need to do today in general, you know, how to attend, not to think about tomorrow, you know, because you know, you can only get to tomorrow after what you do today. So I just tend to think small at the beginning, chip away at it. I mean, do you, do you now where you are, I’m at this stage in your career, do you, it’s probably hard to set a specific timeframe on your goals to take, you know, to step up now. Do you guys do that or is it just too unknown to know, like, you know, later this season, next season, the next season? How do you even approach that?
Um, you basically, you just gotta um, just stay prepared. You know, you, you build a routine, you stay, stay prepared because you know, in this business, you know, um, you can only control the uncontrollables, you know, so just basically just recognizing that and just being the best you can be and going hard every day, you know, um, you’ll be ready for when your time is called.
So I hear you’re a car guy. Yes, that’s true. Yes. So, um, when I was thinking that and I was asking you about your goals, I’m also thinking like, do you have goals that you want to meet so that you can like get your dream car, you know, those kinds of things. What’s that look like?
Um, basically just, you know, becoming financially stable, you know. Um, but my dream car is a, uh, I would say like a 78 Dodge Charger. You know, I liked that, that era and that, that body style, you know, it looks more muscle like, so, um, I’m in love with cars though.
Do you want to be one of those guys that has like a garage full of old cars that are now, are you the person that’s going to work on them and make them the way you want or do you send them to a garage and you’ll get them back?
Uh, I say I’ll do a little bit of both, you know, but I don’t tend to plan on have eight or nine cars, you know, maybe three or four at the most. And then when I want another one, you know, get rid of one but not, I’m not putting on a hat.
I always think that’s funny cause I’m like, I mean it’s great if you just want to go look at your cars, but I mean you’re not going to drive them all. But I know it’s some people’s, that’s their thing. They want to collect them and have them all. I watched that show West coast customs. Do you ever watch that? It’s so fascinating. Like extreme and of redoing cars, but it’s so cool how they can take, you know, they’ll get a celebrity or somebody in there with a wild idea. Like, I just watched the Post Malone episode recently. Have you seen that one? I mean, he’s crazy. He comes in with, you know, he wants like an 84 Bronco or something. I don’t know. And just watching how they turn it around and what they come up with and, and you know, the technology that they put into some of those older model cars is pretty cool. Is that something you would do? You’d bring it up to speed and make it, you know, with all those sound systems and everything?
Absolutely. Um, I don’t know. With, with the muscle car I would keep it a classic, but like the Bronco, you know, something like that. Or, um, like an old trailblazer or now that I’m thinking about it, it might’ve been an Explorer. I can’t remember.
Yup. So something like that. Yeah, I would definitely like to bring it up, up to like, yes.
Okay. So I always look at Twitter feeds before I talked to somebody, sort of get to know like what you’re tweeting. So I have a question about wanting to hashtags. You use one for two. What is that?
It’s, uh, it’s like, um, it’s a thing that me and my, my, my friends w when we grew up, you know, it’s just like a number based thing that we just came up with. It’s just to recognize us like an area code. But it’s similar to that like representing where you’re [inaudible].
Exactly, exactly. So, um, there’s a, um, it’s a group of guys, you know, it’s a bunch of us, well not a bunch. It’s a couple of us. You know, we grew up together, we went to middle school, uh, elementary school, middle school, high school. You know, we still talk today and we want to stay championship together. So you know, they’re just like a number. Yes, it’s a number based thing we came up with and we just ran with it. I don’t know what it means.
It’s like your nod to those guys. So when you use it like yes, you’re, you’re communicating and like saying Hey to those guys.
Exactly. If you, if you go see those other five or six guys, they probably have it on their page too.
Okay, good. See, I was curious. I thought if my supposed to know what that is, I don’t know if you guys sell a lot by hashtags and if you don’t know what they are, I’d like to find out just because it obviously means something you put, you know, put it out there. So that’s cool. Awesome. Well, thank you for coming and telling your story to us. So, um, everybody out there who is, uh, heading to a Texas legends game. Look up Aric. So it’s Aric with an A. Yes, ma’am. Yeah, Aric Holman. And uh, thanks for listening to this episode of Hustle and Pro.