Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

At 28 years old, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has this physical status:

Rondae Jaquan Hollis-Jefferson (born January 3, 1995) is an American joints basketball player for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

He played for the Arizona Wildcats in college basketball.

Source

Early life and high school career

Hollis-Jefferson was born and raised in Chester, Pennsylvania, the son of Rylanda Hollis, a single mother who worked two jobs as a food manager and bartender. He grew up with his older brother Rahlir, who also played for basketball. Their father was often absent and spent some time in jail. When he was 12, Hollis-Jefferson started honing his game. He expressed a strong interest in defense at an early age and claimed that he scored only because he was taller than his peers.

He attended Chester High School, where he began a successful basketball career under head coach Larry Yarbray. For multiple seasons, the small forward was the first player to be named Delaware County Player of the Year. He was also instrumental in Chester's first-ever undefeated season. In his three years as a student, the Clippers have won two state championships out of 91–5. He lost in the state championship game to Lower Merion in his senior year. He finished his career with more than 1,000 points and a school record 780 rebounds.

In the 2013 McDonald's All-American Game against Aaron Gordon, a future Arizona teammate. Following the festival, he competed in the Jordan Brand Classic with some of the country's most highly recruited high school actors, including Julius Randle. Hollis-Jefferson's time with the Clippers culminated in him being named the 6th best small forward of his class by 247Sports.com and fifth best by Rivals.com. He eventually decided to attend the University of Arizona and represent the school through their strong basketball program over others like Florida and Syracuse.

College career

Despite his modest size, Hollis-Jefferson made a name for himself in his freshman season with Arizona as a good scorer, rebounder, and shot blocker. With 10 points, 5 rebounds traditing, and 2 assists against Cal Poly off the bench, his season got off to a promising start. In a game against Oregon, he scored his first double-double. As his freshman year progressed, he improved on his free throw shooting. Hollis-Jefferson mainly served as the team's sixth man throughout the season, but he was made a starter after Brandon Ashley was forced to miss the season due to a foot injury in the Wildcats' 60-58 upset loss to California on February 1. Due to the roster that was dominated by Aaron Gordon's likes, Hollis-Jefferson missed 6 of the 38 games played, but the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team retained his name. Hollis-Jefferson averaged 9.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game in his freshman season. "It's a lot different than just getting up, going to school, and playing basketball for Chester," Hollis-Jefferson of his freshman year said. "I was lost in the beginning of the season." However, it's not about who's starting; it's about who finishes. Playing behind people is something that has harmed me for about a month or so. I went along with it and continued to play. I have to make people respect my gun. I know I can shoot it. I have to stay in attack mode."

Hollis-Jefferson, a sophomore, raised his average to 11.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. He made strides in his leadership and offense. As a sophomore, he was selected chains first-team All-Pac-12 and was named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team. He aided the Wildcats in their second straight Elite Eight appearances in the NCAA Tournament, losing to Wisconsin on both directions. Hollis-Jefferson drafted for the 2015 NBA draft on April 7, 2015, forgoing his final two years of college eligibility. "I don't know if I've enjoyed coaching a playerACS more than I've loved coaching Rondae," coach Sean Miller said.

Professional career

Hollis-Jefferson was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 23rd overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft on June 25, 2015. His draft rights, as well as Steve Blake, were then traded to the Brooklyn Nets for Mason Plumlee and Pat Connaughton's draft rights. He signed his rookie scale with the Nets on July 6, 2015. In a 115-100 loss to the Chicago Bulls, he made his Nets debut in their season opener on October 28, 2015, scoring eight points and five rebounds off the bench. In a loss to the Boston Celtics on November 20, he had a season-best game with 13 points and 11 rebounds as a starter. He was diagnosed on December 7 with a non-displaced fracture of the posterior talus in his right leg, requiring surgery and eight to ten weeks of rehabilitation. In late March, he returned to action.

In a 122-104 victory over the Phoenix Suns on November 12, 2016, Hollis-Jefferson scored a then-high 20 points and tied a career record high with 13 rebounds.

In a 111-104 loss to the New York Knicks on December 14, 2017, Hollis-Jefferson scored a career-high 25 points on 10-for-16 shooting. During a 116-91 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on January 26, he strained his right groin and returned to action against the Chicago Bulls on February 26, after missing the Nets' previous 11 games.

Hollis-Jefferson missed the first three games of the 2018-19 season due to a hip injury and the birth of his first child. Hollis-Jefferson scored 14 points and a season-high 11 rebounds for his first double-double on November 28, 2018. The Nets won 123-121 over the Sacramento Kings on March 19, 2019. He made a layup with eight-tenths of a second remaining on March 19, 2019.

The Nets refused to make Hollis-Jefferson a qualifying offer on June 17, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Hollis-Jefferson, the defending champions of the Toronto Raptors, signed him on July 18, 2019.

Hollis-Jefferson completed a non-guaranteed preseason contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 3, 2020. He was waived by the Timberwolves right after he announced on December 19, 2020.

Hollis-Jefferson agreed to a 10-day deal with the Portland Trail Blazers on April 8, 2021. After playing in six games, he signed a second 10-day deal on April 18 and ten days later, he signed for the remainder of the season.

Hollis-Jefferson, a 2021-born Hollis-Jefferson, signed with Beşiktaş Icrypex of the Basketbol Süper Ligi on September 28, 2021. In a 69-82 loss to the Rytas, he scored a career-high 26 points.

Hollis-Jefferson, a 2022-born native of Atléticos de San Germán, became a member of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional on April 11, 2022.

Source