Story by Alan Hieber

Wright State true freshman guard Tanner Holden is the bad guy, duh. That's referring to the sometimes off the charts basketball acumen he has shown to have of course.
 
Being the team leader in offensive rebounding (51) and fourth best in scoring average (10.8) has made Holden tough to ignore. He also is second among the Raiders in defensive rebounds (74) and has started 18 of 19 games for the 15-4 (5-1 Horizon League) Raiders.
 
"I was pretty confident in myself, but I wasn't expecting something on this scale," Holden said.
 
Like the rubber in a basketball – Holden's parents Rodney and Tammy are a vital support foundation. This sometimes includes one parent going to his sister Sydney's basketball games for the University of Rio Grande and the other watching their son.
 
"It's really special to have parents who are willing to sacrifice a lot of time to come to your games no matter where they are," Holden said. "It's important to me to have them there."
 
During the recruiting process Marshall – where Rodney once starred – and Winthrop were the top two choices for Holden at one point, but they would later pass on any offers.
 
For Holden there is no denying that he does want to prove to the schools which waned on their interest in him that they missed out.
 
"There's a little pressure, but not too much to where I need to change anything," he said. "For sure there's a chip on my shoulder, and I carry that every game, every practice and every time I wake up."
 
The 6-6 Holden was also a superb wide receiver on the gridiron in high school – being named an Ohio Mr. Football finalist in 2017. This garnered him attention from the likes of Ohio State and Michigan.
 
"He was one of the best football players in the state of Ohio, but he always knew he wanted to play basketball. We have definitely seen the benefits of his instincts that he developed from his football days," Wright State head coach Scott Nagy said. "His demeanor is impressive for being a freshman. He finds ways to help our team win on both ends of the floor."
 
What ultimately made Wright State a premiere destination for Holden was the family atmosphere he felt amongst his future teammates and coaching staff. This was reminiscent of the close-knit community in his quaint hometown of less than 7,000 – Wheelersburg, Ohio – he says.
 
"That's how Wheelersburg rolls. If you play four hours away, you'll have a crowd with you (at games). Everyone knows everyone," Holden says. "They'll talk to you every time you see them and have a smile on their face. That translated here and was what really made me want to come here."
 
It was clear that Holden might make a splash this season after an impressive showing on the court during the Raider's offseason Italy trip and local scrimmages.
 
"We knew he was going to be good for us during the recruiting process," Nagy said. "Then it was confirmed this summer during our practices prior to our trip to Italy. Tanner has done everything we have asked and earned his starting role."
 
Wright State sharpshooting senior forward Bill Wampler – who leads the squad in scoring and three-pointers made – was a mentor for Holden in those dog days.
 
"During the summer he (Wampler) was my big buddy," Holden said. "I came in here and shot with him quite a bit. He showed me how to work hard and to get into a good position."