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Rondae Hollis-Jefferson on channeling Kobe Bryant during World Cup: I watched Kobe, Jordan clips every day, and decided to wear the armband
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson: And so right after I won the Philippines championship, because I was refreshed, I wasn't playing in Korea. I'm averaging 10 minutes a game. The games I did play, I would dominate, but for the most part, I'm recharged going into the Philippines. So that's when I stopped drinking. I'm in bed by 9.30, 10 o'clock. I'm waking up at 4 or 5 am, and I'm working out. I'm super locked in. And literally from then on, it was the best basketball of my career. And that's where I'm watching Kobe every day. I'm watching Jordan every day. I'm just like, it's on repeat every single day. Any of my teammates from Puerto Rico to Turkey, to Korea, any of my teammates, every game, they'll see me on my phone. I'm not on Instagram. I'm not on, I'm watching Kobe. I'm watching Jordan. I'm just watching how they move. I'm watching how they're being guarded and all of these things. So, like leading up to the World Cup, I've always loved the armband and things like that. But leading up to the World Cup, I'm like, "Nah, this is gonna be special."
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson: I definitely had NBA teams interested after my performance at the World Cup
How did the sudden spotlight feel, and did it spark the NBA or Euroleague interest you hoped would? Rondae Hollis-Jefferson: Yeah, well, based on what my agent was saying, Euroleague teams immediately called and were like, "Look, we want you." The only thing was that I was already signed to the Philippines for the next season. And I'm not gonna like to go back on, they've been so wonderful to me. But yeah, Euroleague teams definitely caught on. It was about three of them, I believe, three, four of them. And then the NBA, we were speaking to teams, and we were talking. I just was, I was so locked in that it was like, do I want to risk the like, at this point where I'm like, I'm winning a championship, I'm doing this, I'm committed to this. "Do I want to risk at that point going for like a 10-day and possibly getting cut, or have stability, earn money for my family, and take care of those things?"
What convinced you recently to tweet for another opportunity in the NBA? Rondae Hollis-Jefferson: It's been a long journey. I feel like, given the time I was in the NBA, I think it was very important for me to self-reflect and think about all the things that I could have done differently that kind of shaped me into the person I am today. I was just sitting there the other day thinking about it. I was thinking about it all, man. Just where I'm at, how far I've come, the growth, the experiences, everything that I've been through. I thought I was just sitting there. It was one of those days where your wheels are turning. And I said, man, I should be in the NBA, dude. I know everyone knows how hard I work, how much I care about basketball, but that's really where it stemmed from. Just one of those days sitting and just thinking about the game, thinking about the highs and lows, and just wanting to be on that big stage and really, really wanting to be closer to home, to be closest to my kids.
How does your overseas success bolster your case for an NBA return? Rondae Hollis-Jefferson: That's a little part of it. More so because teams like winners at the end of the day. And I feel like I've proven myself to be a winner. But more so than that, I would just say the development, the growth aspect of it. Teams can find players anywhere at any level, at any time. I think it's more about the growth aspect as a person, the maturity I've shown through the pain and struggles I've been through. I think that kind of helped. And that's what stands out to me, to people around me, to someone who would evaluate me, someone that could ask any of my coaches or any of those things. I've been in the Philippines.
When did you swallow your pride, accept the role teams needed, and commit to perfecting it? Rondae Hollis-Jefferson: And then I would say, "I go to next season, I don't get a deal, so then I end up going to Korea." I think that's where I was really humbled, because I was in Korea. And talk about being one year removed from the NBA and all these things, and I'm playing 10 minutes a game. And it's kind of weighing on me now. I'm like, "Wait." Mentally, from an overall standpoint, I felt good because I'm alone, I'm by myself, and I'm able to connect with myself on a different level. People don't speak English. I'm in the house, I'm meditating, I'm praying. And then the basketball side, which is the biggest part, which is why I'm here, started to weigh on me six months in.
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Rondae Hollis-Jefferson: Good morning @NBA , I was wondering if any teams had a training camp spot for an kind chap like myself . I’m like a SUV got a lot of travel miles but for the long haul(long season) you can count on me. I also keep good air flow amongst the team. I also can guard just about anyone
After winning his second PBA title with TNT, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had a different tone when asked about his NBA ambitions. “For sure, it’s still the highest league in the world. It’ll always be in my mind but I feel like at a point in your life, God puts you where you need to be and I think where we go wrong is we fight that,” Hollis-Jefferson told reporters after the title victory.
“Right now, I’m in the air of appreciating the people that are in front of me. If the NBA calls me, my agent calls me and says hey the NBA wants to give you another chance, I’m ready. I’m just gonna continue and enjoy the people around me,” Hollis-Jefferson explained.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson: I was going to let it slide and play out the way it's supposed to but there's no way I can sit back and let people discredit all the work I've put in. Mentally, physically, and skillfully. My game has evolved in many ways while still having the tools that got me to the NBA. I'm confused as to why I can't get an opportunity? OK, I made mistakes at 24 that I wouldn't make at 30. But that's life, you learn from those mistakes. I'm not asking for anything other than a chance. shit, I'll sleep in the gym. You can't say it's just the shooting component anymore. There are 3/4 players on almost every team that can't make a shot outside of the paint. But it's not about just shooting if you want to win. I can come off the bench and give any team a spark.
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Rondae Hollis-Jefferson: I sit there and travel all over the world to hoop (it's nice) but I miss my family every day (take them with you). I'm not about to drag babies from country to country (they need stability). All I need is a shot to help a team and be close to what really matters. I know mad players and staff in the NBA and [players] union. And majority of these folks speak highly of me and know I'd do whatever to win and whatever if they needed me to help them in any way. But when you're really looking for someone, they are gone until you are weak enough to break down.
Clutch Points: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in 5 games at the FIBA World Cup for Jordan 🇯🇴 🔹 23.6 PPG 🔹 7.8 RPG 🔹 4.4 APG 🔹 46.8% FG 🔹 21.4% 3PT Is there an NBA team that should pick him up? 🤔 (via @FIBA) pic.twitter.com/XDks4AAWLg
StatMuse: Karl-Anthony Towns in the loss: 39 PTS (!!), 10 REB (!), 2 BLK, 4 3P. Ties Rondae Hollis-Jefferson for the most points in a FIBA World Cup game since Dirk Nowitzki in 2006. pic.twitter.com/e9NaU10a5l
After facing Thomas Walkup with Greece and Jordan’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, then, the American national team will have to deal with another countryman who wears the jersey of another place in the world. Being asked how he feels about his ongoing situation, Team USA’s head coach Steve Kerr kept it simple. “I don’t mind it at all, I think it’s a great opportunity for those guys to play in FIBA. Almost every team we play against feels like they have one American player on board, it’s the rule for FIBA and it’s fine for us. I like the opportunity for those players”, he commented on guys like Perry and Walkup.
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