4. Jrue Holiday
Drafted in 2009, Jrue Holiday was brought in to showcase his youthful talent after spending just one year at UCLA. While a Bruin, his stats were not too impressive, but he did earn Pac-10 All Freshman Team honors. When he did lace up his sneakers for the 76ers, he ended up playing 73 games his first year, averaging eight points and almost four assists.
From there, he went on to double his assist and points per game average, playing another three years with the Sixers. Being coached under Doug Collins, Holiday would blossom into an All-Star in 2013. Holiday’s numbers that year? He averaged 17.7 points, eight assists, and four rebounds. In two of his Sixer years, he appeared in the playoffs and contributed 15 points and five assists per game.
His style of play was smooth and controlled once he started to reach his prime. Holiday could hit the 3 for Philly at 37 percent and score in the paint using either hand. His defensive skills have been touted throughout his career, being stingy on the perimeter and a cerebral defender. His passing skills were coming into their own as a Sixer, playing alongside Andre Iguodala, Lou Williams, and Thaddeus Young. Dropping dimes on fast breaks or tossing alley-oops to his teammates was a regular for Holiday. He was an all around, solid point guard for Philadelphia.
Unfortunately, Holiday was traded after his All-Star appearance and has played with the New Orleans Pelicans since. Some say Holiday’s departure started the “Process” under San Hinkie.