Weston Ranch's Khristian Holmes signs to play for Azusa Pacific University basketball
Weston Ranch basketball is closing out the school year with its second signing day of the year.
The Cougars gathered in the library this time for senior Khristian Holmes, who will take his talents to Azusa Pacific University, an NCAA DII program. Holmes inked his letter of intent on May 25 making him the first player from the program to sign with an NCAA program.
“I’m really excited to go through my next phase in my career,” Holmes said. “My sophomore year wasn’t too good, I was worried about other stuff. I was doubted and I have been through a lot to get to where I’m at today.”
Standing at 6 feet, Holmes played a vital role in Weston Ranch’s stellar 2022-23 season. He led the Cougars' rebounds and assists per game. When he wasn’t making hustle plays, Holmes could get a bucket and be a monster in the paint finishing the season with 20 blocks.
Holmes was a starter for Weston Ranch throughout its Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoff and CIF State Division II Boys Basketball Championship runs. His best game in the postseason came against Menlo-Atherton on Feb. 28. The senior guard shot 50% from the field scoring 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds.
“This is the sort of by-product of waking up at 5 am, 6 am for workouts, the extra 30 days we all do in June,” said Nicholas Podesta, Weston Ranch’s head coach. “ To see this kind of hard work pay off it's really exciting. This is really the best part of this profession.”
Holmes will build off of these hardworking tools from the Weston Ranch program to a championship-caliber squad. Last season Azusa Pacific made it to the 2023 NCAA DII Basketball Championship quarterfinals and finished with an overall record of 22-8.
What made the Cougars program a perfect fit for Holmes was it being faith-based program.
“I really liked it because it’s a Christian school and it’s cool to have a program that matches my religious background,” he said. “I’m excited to meet new people there, build new friendships and find people I can live the rest of my life with.”
He will also be able to fulfill a promise he made to his mom, Kristiana Holmes when he was in middle school.
“Khristian told me in the eighth grade, he said ‘ You’re not gonna have to pay for me to go to college. You don’t have to worry about me I’m gonna do what I’m supposed to do,” she said at Holmes signing day. “All four years he’s done that. I’m just so happy and excited for his future.”
Record reporter Shannon Belt covers sports. She can be reached at sbelt@recordnet.com or on Twitter @ShannonBelt3. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: Weston Ranch basketball's Khristian Holmes signs his letter of intent
