NEW YORK – Canton Charge guard John Holland today was named the 2016-17 NBA Development League Impact Player of the Year, as voted on by the league’s 22 head coaches.  The award recognizes a player who joined an NBA D-League team after Nov. 25, 2016, and made the greatest contribution to his team’s success following that in-season acquisition.

Holland (6-5, 205, Boston University), who appeared in 37 games for Canton last season, rejoined the Cleveland Cavaliers’ NBA D-League affiliate on Dec. 9, 2016, when the Charge had a 5-7 record.  After Holland’s arrival, the Charge went 24-14 the rest of the way to finish with a 29-21 record.  Canton earned the fourth seed in the NBA D-League Eastern Conference Playoffs, losing to Raptors 905 in the conference semifinals.

For the season, Holland averaged 22.9 points (seventh in the league), 4.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals in a league-high 38.8 minutes per game.  He also shot 48.1 percent from the field in 37 games.

Holland, 28, signed with the Boston Celtics before the 2016 NBA Playoffs and made his NBA debut in the first round against the Atlanta Hawks.  He appeared in three preseason games for the Cavaliers in October 2016.

After spending four years at Boston University, Holland played professionally in France, Spain and Turkey.  He also represented the Puerto Rican national team in 2011.

All-Time NBA D-League Impact Players of the Year
John Holland (Canton Charge, 2016-17)
Ryan Gomes (Los Angeles D-Fenders, 2015-16)
Jerel McNeal (Bakersfield Jam, 2014-15)
Ike Diogu (Bakersfield Jam, 2013-14)
Rasual Butler (Tulsa 66ers, 2012-13)
Eric Dawson (Austin Toros, 2011-12)
Jeff Adrien (Rio Grande Valley Vipers, 2010-11)
Brian Butch (Bakersfield Jam, 2009-10)
Eddie Gill (Colorado 14ers, 2008-09)
Morris Almond (Utah Flash, 2007-08)

About the NBA Development League
The NBA Development League is the NBA’s official minor league, preparing players, coaches, officials, trainers, and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory.  Featuring 22 teams with direct affiliations with NBA franchises for the 2016-17 season, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.  An all-time high 38 percent of all NBA players at the end of the 2015-16 season boasted NBA D-League experience.  In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs.  NBA D-League games are available on ESPN’s family of networks, Facebook Live and NBA TV.