Brandon Jennings was one of the more electric players in the early 2010s. Drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 10th overall pick, Jennings had a short career due to injuries. Here is a fun fact: he was drafted in the same class as Steph Curry, James Harden, and Jrue Holiday. Speaking on a podcast recently, he had thoughts about how he fares against his draft class.
Brandon Jennings Says He is Better than Jrue Holiday
Speaking on Gilbert Arenas‘ podcast, the former Milwaukee Bucks guard talked about the best players of his draft class. When the name Jrue Holiday was mentioned, Brandon Jennings had to jump in. He said,
“Jrue Holiday was NEVER better than in the game of basketball. He has a better career than me. But he is not better than me”.
“Jrue Holiday was NEVER better than me in the game of basketball.”
– Brandon Jennings
(
@WatchPlayback / h/t @big_business_ )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 14, 2025
Most people remember Jrue Holiday of the last five to six years when he won two championships, one with the Bucks, and one with the Boston Celtics. But he was not the player he is nowadays early in his career.
Jennings, on the other hand, played only nine seasons for five teams. His career was derailed after he tore his Achilles in January 2015. While slowly developing into one of the NBA’s better guards, he suffered an injury that slowed him and shortened his NBA career. Jrue is now in his 16th season, playing for his fourth team.
Is Brandon Jennings Right?
If we look at their first three years in the league, Brandon Jennings might have a point. During their rookie campaign, Jennings averaged 15.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.3 steals on 37% shooting. Holiday, on the other hand, averaged eight points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.1 steals on 44% shooting.
Brandon peaked in his third year, averaging 19.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.6 steals on 41.8% shooting. Jrue averaged 13.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.6 steals on 43% shooting.
It is worth noting that as a rookie, Jennings scored 55 points on Curry and the Warriors. No rookie has scored more since the ABA/NBA merger.
Brandon Jennings – The Most Confident Former Player
Jennings can easily be the most confident, or overconfident former NBA player. Even though he spent nine seasons playing for five teams, he believes he was much, much better. Jennings never made the All-Star, but still has confidence over the roof. In the same podcast, he talked about playing one-on-one against anyone. The topic was who would win in a one-on-one game between him and Lou Williams, or any other currently retired player. He said,
“If me and Lou Will play 1 on 1, I’m winning… Jeff Teague whoever. If anyone wants to play 1v1, let’s go!”
Arenas joked that he is too old and out of shape. But who knows, maybe Jennings still has it in him. At the very least, he has the confidence that he can play and beat any player. That was the mentality he had when he was playing in the NBA. But that was also the mentality that got him out of the league.
Unlike Jennings, Jrue Holiday learned that winning takes a team. He became one of the best team players in the league and made the All-Star Game two times.
Photo credit: © Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
The post Brandon Jennings Says He is Better than Jrue Holiday appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.