Jrue Holiday

 

Jrue Randall Holiday (born June 12, 1990) is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and weighing 205 pounds (93 kg), Holiday plays both as a point guard and shooting guard. 

 

He played one season of college basketball with the UCLA Bruins before being selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 17th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. Holiday is a two-time NBA champion (2021 with Milwaukee, 2024 with Boston), a two-time NBA All-Star (2013, 2023), and a six-time NBA All-Defensive Team member. He became the first player in NBA history to win championships in his first season with two different franchises. Holiday also won gold medals with the United States men’s basketball team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and 2024 Paris Olympics.

 

Early Life 

Family

 

Holiday was born on June 12, 1990, in Chatsworth, California, to parents Shawn and Toya Holiday. Both parents played college basketball at Arizona State University, where his mother, Toya, was named Pac-10 Player of the Year in 1982. Holiday grew up in a basketball family; his younger brothers Justin Holiday and Aaron Holiday both played in the NBA, while his younger sister Lauren “Lo” Holiday played college basketball at UCLA. Coincidentally, Holiday’s wife also shares the name Lauren “Cheney” Holiday. She is a star midfielder for the United States women’s national soccer team and was pivotal in winning the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Jrue married Lauren in July 2013. The couple has two children: daughter Jrue Tyler and son Hendricks.

 

His name derives from his mother’s desire to maintain the family’s “J” name tradition while creating a unique spelling of “Drew.”

 

High School and College Career

 

Holiday attended Campbell Hall School in Studio City, California, where he became one of the top high school prospects in the nation. He committed to UCLA and played one season (2008-09) with the Bruins, starting all 35 games. Holiday averaged 8.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game while earning Pac-10 All-Freshman Team honors. Following his freshman year, Holiday declared for the 2009 NBA Draft.

 

NBA Career

 

Philadelphia 76ers (2009–2013)

 

Holiday was selected 17th overall by Philadelphia on June 25, 2009. As a rookie, he started 51 of 73 games and averaged 8.0 points, 3.8 assists, and 1.1 steals. Over four seasons in Philadelphia, Holiday developed into an elite guard, helping the 76ers reach the playoffs in 2011 and 2012.

 

In the 2012-13 season, Holiday earned his first All-Star selection at age 22, averaging career highs of 17.7 points, 8.0 assists, and 1.6 steals. Despite his career year, the 76ers sought higher value in the future, and on draft night in June 2013, Philadelphia traded Holiday to the New Orleans Pelicans for the sixth overall pick (Nerlens Noel) and a future first-round selection.

 

New Orleans Pelicans (2013–2020)

 

Holiday spent seven seasons in New Orleans, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier two-way guards. He earned NBA All-Defensive honors three times with the Pelicans (First Team in 2018, Second Team in 2019) and averaged 18.4 points, 6.8 assists, and 4.0 rebounds over his tenure.

 

In the 2018 playoffs, Holiday delivered dominant performances against Portland, scoring a playoff career-high 41 points in Game 4 to complete a first-round sweep. He averaged 27.8 points for the series while shooting 56.8% from the field. On December 17, 2017, Holiday scored a then-career-high 40 points against the Houston Rockets.

 

On July 6, 2017, Holiday re-signed with New Orleans on a five-year, $126 million contract extension.

 

Milwaukee Bucks (2020–2023)

 

On November 24, 2020, Holiday was traded to Milwaukee in a four-team deal. The move proved championship-defining. On April 4, 2021, Holiday agreed to a four-year, $160 million contract extension with the Bucks.

 

In the 2021 NBA Finals against Phoenix, Holiday delivered clutch performances. In Game 5, he recorded 27 points, 13 assists, and a critical steal from Devin Booker that led to an alley-oop to Giannis Antetokounmpo, securing a 123-119 victory. In Game 6, Holiday posted a near triple-double (12 points, 9 rebounds, 11 assists) to help Milwaukee win 105-98 and capture their first championship in 50 years.

 

On December 17, 2021, Holiday scored a career-high 51 points in an overtime loss against Indiana. He earned NBA All-Defensive First Team honors in both 2021 and 2023 with Milwaukee. He also earned his second All-Star team selection in 2023.  

 

Boston Celtics (2023–2025)

 

In September 2023, Holiday was initially traded to Portland as part of the Damian Lillard blockbuster deal, but was flipped to Boston four days later on October 1. Holiday immediately became integral to the Celtics’ success.

 

The 2023-24 Celtics finished 64-18 and dominated the playoffs. Boston defeated Dallas 4-1 in the Finals, with Holiday earning his second NBA championship. He became the first player in NBA history to win championships in his first season with two different franchises.

 

Holiday received the 2024-25 NBA Sportsmanship Award on May 1, 2025, and the Social Justice Champion Award on May 7, 2025.

 

Portland Trail Blazers (2025–Present)

 

On July 7, 2025, Holiday was traded back to Portland in exchange for Anfernee Simons. On October 29, 2025, he scored a season-high 27 points in a 136-134 victory over Utah. Through the 2025-26 season, Holiday continues providing veteran leadership and two-way excellence for the rebuilding Trail Blazers.

 

Personal Life

 

Holiday and his wife Lauren, founded the Jrue and Lauren Holiday Foundation, which provides support and resources for families impacted by various challenges. Holiday has won the NBA Teammate of the Year Award three times (2020, 2022, 2023), reflecting his reputation as one of the league’s most respected players. He holds citizenship in both the United States and Cameroon.

 

References

 

External Links

* Jrue Holiday on NBA.com

* Jrue Holiday on Basketball-Reference.com