Rumors

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."

HoopsHype

Cooper recalls seeing news of Jordan listing the house in 2012, roughly 10 years after his famous Hall of Fame career ended. Now, he has the keys. "I remember seeing the home for sale and thinking how cool it would be for the person that buys the home," Cooper said.

Journal Star

As expected, the older the player was, the more likely he was to vote for Jordan as the greatest NBA player of all time. Jordan dominated the vote amongst players over 30 years old, born before 1995, and in the 25-29 range born in the second half of the 1990s. King James was crowned the greatest NBA player among players born in the 2000s, one of the few blocks of voters where he triumphed.

HoopsHype

“As you guys have probably heard, I’m a huge believer in Jordan,” Keefe said Tuesday. “He’s a great representation for our organization on what a good basketball player is, and how you handle yourself as a professional. This is a guy who’s first in the gym — every day. Who really cares about his craft. He’s a craftsman about it. And that’s something that I’ve been around and seen a lot of guys with, and he’s at the top of the list for that. He’s a great example for all of us. “I want Jordan to be himself. And that was my message when I first took over. I want him to play in attack mode. And I think this is more of an opportunity for him to do that, because of the amount of time he puts into it. And what he can mean for our team when he does that.”

The Athletic

Jordan became the first athlete to enter Forbes 400 list of richest Americans. He has a net worth of $3 billion, per NBA Central. It's a considerable improvement from his estimated net worth of $2 billion in June

Clutch Points

Christos Tsaltas: In their very first appearance at the FIBA World Cup, South Sudan finished 17th, one seed higher than France (18th). Finland and Lauri Markkanen finished in 21st place, Jordan finish last (32). #FIBAWC

Twitter

He moves and shoots the same way, even some mannerisms of Kobe, like the way he moves his shoulder when he is about to shoot free throws, are there. It’s uncanny to watch, considering the fact that during his years in the NBA and also in Europe when he played most notably for Besiktas during the 2021-22 season, he didn’t move and played like that. However, the resemblance is obvious. And as he said with a smile, his good friend Shabazz Napier, who will play this season in Serbia for Crvena Zvezda “keeps telling me to take a DNA test, Kobe is my cousin and I didn’t know it”.

EuroHoops.net

Christos Tsaltas: Rondae Hollis Jefferson: "My best friend Shabazz Napier keeps telling me to get a DNA test, because Kobe is my cousin and I didn't know it". #FIBAWC #KobeBryant @SportalgrG

Twitter

One Sports: An incredible outing from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson for the Falcons! RHJ’s 39 points set a new tournnament-high, and now most points in the World Cup since Dirk Nowitzki (47) in 2006! #FIBAWC x #WinForJordan

Twitter

Donatas Urbonas: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson on 39-point game vs. New Zealand and 'Kobe' chants in Manila: "It means a lot, it's an honor. There's only one Kobe, for sure. But to feel that love and energy down the stretch and to hit those big shots, God was with me and Kobe was with me, for sure."

Twitter

Donatas Urbonas: 6-year NBA veteran Rondae Hollis-Jefferson on his journey: "Once I was out of the NBA, I had to reevaluate myself. I was in the Green Room. I thought I was on a pedestal & could do anything I wanted. Not being in the NBA & not having a roster spot woke me up to humble myself."

Twitter

Donatas Urbonas: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson confirmed he will play in the Philippines for the Tropang Giga next season. "The season ends in February, so I'm open to anyone who wants to call." He also clarified to BasketNews that his agreement includes an NBA-out clause.

Twitter

New Zealand survived the comeback attempt of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Jordan, 95-87, in overtime on Monday in the 2023 FIBA World Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.

GMANetwork.com

The former Toronto Raptors and Portland Trail-Blazers small forward ended the game with 39 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists while shooting 12/24 from the field and 14/18 at the charity stripe. Most importantly, he forced overtime with an outstanding and-one three-point play.

EuroHoops.net