By Shawn Nowlin
The game of basketball has been great to Ataijah Holland. The sport not only gave her the opportunity to attend one of America’s best universities, but she was also able to travel the country, compete against the very best and experience heights that most athletes will never come close to.
Having played at the highest level, Holland knows of what she speaks. Hiring her as a girls’ Patrick Henry High assistant was a no-brainer for Coach Eugene “Blu” Cook.
Born in March 1995 in Roanoke, Holland is the daughter of Shannon Taylor and Bridgette Joyce. Her father played in the NFL after a dominant college career at UVA.
In elementary school, it was clear that Holland was gifted in basketball. To gain a competitive advantage over her peers, she often played against older competition. Her parents didn’t want her to risk any injury so she didn’t play other sports.
“I’m glad they made that decision. I was a true point guard, the extension of the coach on the floor. I wanted to be certain of what everyone’s role was so I could direct traffic and the flow of the game,” she said. “I took tremendous pride doing that and tried my best to put myself and my teammates in the best positions to be successful.”
Winning the state championship as a senior is a Salem High memory that Holland will cherish for the rest of her life. “Looking back, I appreciate even more the journey it took for us to get there. We lost in regions my sophomore year and lost in the state semis my junior year. We beat that team for the state title my senior year. I will always remember how it felt kissing that championship trophy, and how proud I was of my team,” she said.
A nationally ranked prospect, before committing to Wake Forest, Holland strongly considered Seton Hall, James Madison University and St. John’s.
“Wake’s offer was late to the party due to my coach just being hired months before I committed,” she said. “I went on my visit with four other recruits and we all committed within a week of each other to become the first recruiting class under the new coach’s era. I did hit some obstacles. Even so, I was incredibly blessed to be a student-athlete at a university like Wake Forest. Enjoying the privileges required us busting our butts and giving maximum effort on and off the court.”
Coach Blu and Shannon are longtime friends. A huge supporter of Holland along her journey, when he offered her an opportunity to join his staff, she immediately jumped at the opportunity. “It was also enticing to be able to coach with one of my former AAU teammates and good friend, Sarah Williams, who is in the Patrick Henry High Basketball Hall of Fame,” she said.
Holland met her husband, Lemaj, in middle school at a CIAA football game. They started dating in high school and often would work out together. Today, the couple are the proud parents of three children.
“I want to share the same excitement and passion I had for the game with the next generation. I remember being nervous before each of my games. Being able to express those emotions through my game was beneficial for me,” Holland, also a certified yoga instructor, said. “I am excited to get back into coaching with that Lady Patriots this 2023-24 Season.”
