Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, the naturalized player for Jordan in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, was a highly regarded five-star recruit during his high school days in the United States. He opted to enroll at the University of Arizona and after two years, he made the decision to transition to the NBA.
RHJ was selected by Portland as the 23rd overall pick in the draft, but he was traded to Brooklyn on draft day. He spent four seasons with Brooklyn before also having stints with Toronto and the Trail Blazers. However, his career in the NBA didn’t quite meet expectations, with only one season of averaging double-digit points in his six-year career (13.9 points in 2017-18).
After the 2020-21 season, Hollis-Jefferson, once a high school basketball star, found himself without an NBA contract. His three-point shooting was particularly lacking, a weakness in a game where outside shooting was becoming increasingly important.
His best career three-point shooting percentage in the NBA was 28.6%, achieved during his rookie year; however, his performance in this aspect declined from there.
REINVENTION
Following the 2021 season, Hollis-Jefferson felt uncertain about his future in the NBA. With no roster spot available on any of the 30 NBA teams, he faced self-doubt. However, he regained his focus, especially motivated by the presence of his son during these challenging times.
Recalling his earlier years, RHJ shared, “Coming out of high school, I was top 25, in the green room for the lottery. I felt like I was on a pedestal, like I could achieve anything I wanted.”
However, not being in the NBA and lacking a roster spot served as a humbling wake-up call. He admitted to doubting his abilities and considering giving up on basketball.
“But I had one son at the time, and he kept me going, kept the hope alive for me to keep pushing,” he continued.
Gradually, he found his rhythm, confidence, and self-esteem while playing for Atleticos de San German, a team in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional, a professional basketball league in Puerto Rico. Hollis-Jefferson credited his coach there, Eddie Casiano, for allowing him to play his game and reignite the fire he needed to get back on track.
“The journey, I would say in Puerto Rico my first year that’s when I kinda took that incline,” said the 6-foot-6 forward.
“The coach over there, Eddie Casiano, he let me play my game. We have that relationship, father-son, brother-brother whatever you wanna put it. We communicate, he let his player who’s really talented be comfortable and be able to do a lot of things with that basketball.”
His journey then led him to the Philippines, where he joined TNT for the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup and promptly secured a championship victory.
THE KOBE OF JORDAN
Following his success with the Tropang Giga, Hollis-Jefferson’s international career reached a new high. He was designated as Jordan’s naturalized player for the World Cup by the Jordan Basketball Federation.
In Group C, competing against Greece, New Zealand, and the USA, the legend of RHJ as the “Kobe of Jordan” was born. Comparisons between him and the late Kobe Bryant began to surface, fueled by RHJ’s physique and playing style.
This comparison was reinforced when FIBA posted a video captioned, “Kobe must be watching this, smiling,” after the Falcons’ loss to Greece.
RHJ’s performance, particularly his clutch performance against the Tall Blacks of New Zealand, added to the Kobe-like narrative. He led Jordan’s comeback from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter, scoring seven points in just seven seconds.
The crowd chanted “Kobe! Kobe! Kobe!” as he made key plays.
While New Zealand ultimately secured the win, Hollis-Jefferson’s resilience was evident. He expressed his appreciation for the love and energy he felt and acknowledged that both God and Kobe were with him during those critical moments.
Transitioning from a player lacking a reliable three-point shot and free throw accuracy, RHJ reinvented his game and became a potent offensive force. He realized his potential to be a dominant scorer during his international experiences, moving beyond the desire for triple-doubles.
“I grew up playing like all around. I didn’t care about scoring, it was about winning. I was like trying to get triple-doubles to be honest,” said the 28-year-old journeyman.
“Something clicked in me where like I just knew I can put the ball in the basket. If I can do that a little bit better, I can help my team tremendously,” he added.
“And I knew that the coaches would wanna have the ball in my hand when I knew I was a great decision-maker. Rest is just history. It just started to connect with everything.”
And it was when he was out of his comfort zone and away from home that he was able to find who he really was.
