Recruiting Update – Kai Holmes (2026 Sheldon)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the biggest transfers up in classification this off-season was no doubt [player_tooltip player_id='2352621' first='Kai' last='Holmes']. The dynamic 6-foot-6 swingman played his first three years at Marist, but made the decision this off-season to transfer up to compete at Sheldon and he knew he needed to prepare himself for the transition. He started by playing high-level AAU basketball against high-level competition and it was worth all the work.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Overall, it was a pretty good experience," Holmes said, nothing that he suited up with both Select Basketball out of Idaho and Elite 24. "I got to play in a lot of different places, a lot of different competition and with both teams playing in a number of different situations. It was overall just a good experience, playing with my good friends and teammates, like Lucas (Labounty) and just playing with good players, getting better."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holmes detailed where he was focused on improving upon with his game. "I was definitely just honing in my shot as I think that was one of my weaknesses towards last year," Holmes said. "I just need to get more consistent with it and I've definitely been seeing that. And just overall defense too, seeing reads and all that stuff. And getting stronger in the weight room, I definitely feel like I put on like 10, 15 pounds of muscle over the summer."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holmes has seen the result of all the work he's put in this fall having started school, workouts, and now practices at Sheldon. "It's been fun moving up to 6A, it's definitely a lot more physical but I'm ready for that and something I want," Holmes said. Going into college, it'll give me a better experience and just playing better competition. I've also known these guys as most local Eugene kids know each other. So it has been pretty smooth just going through that transition and it's been fun so far."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holmes goes into his senior season unsigned and is still in the process of sorting things out when it comes to his college recruitment. "I've got two offers, Southern Oregon and Oregon Tech," Holmes said. "They're both great schools and I love both their coaches. Oregon Tech, I just went on a visit there and that's when they gave me the offer and as a high academic kid, they kind of honed my interest a little bit so that was pretty cool. I'm kind of just weighing my options still, just throughout the season, see where it happens and we'll see."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holmes broke down what he's looking for in a school and program. "Definitely somewhere where I can just flourish both academically and athletically and somewhere that's going to push me on board," Holmes said. "I'm a STEM kid and I'm a nerd at heart, so I love academics and just somewhere I can get a good degree and have a plan B with it once the ball starts to stop bouncing."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With recruiting on the backburner, Holmes has his eyes set on his senior season and helping the Irish repeat as Southwest Conference champions - and more. "We're definitely, honestly, I mean, being from Eugene, we're definitely a dark horse compared to the Portland teams," Holmes said. "But we've got a good squad. We're tall, we move the ball, and all these kids have been, except for me, playing with each other since they were kids so there's so much chemistry coming in. I think we're going to surprise a lot of people."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I'm just trying to bring my team to the Chiles center and kind of shock some people because a lot of Eugene teams, they don't really get up there often," Holmes continued. "I'd like to be league player of the year and get as high as I can as an all-state player, but I'm mostly just trying to get wins (2:56) and trying to get our team as far as we can."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holmes currently ranks as the #16 player in the Class of 2026 rankings. He and the Sheldon Irish kick off their season on Wednesday night hosting Crater.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->