© Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports
“I’m cheering for him through and through. That’s my brother for life” - Bobby Portis Jr. expresses support for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
Bobby Portis Jr. expressed his all-out support to his “brother for life,” who made heads turn in the 2023 FIBA World Cup in the Philippines.
Portis tipped his hat at Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, whose bid to earn another stint in the NBA has gotten support from Portis and other NBA players.
“He has a hell of a chance [to come back]. I just told him he back now,” Portis said shortly after Team USA defeated Jordan in the group stage, 110-62.
Looking and playing like Kobe
Hollis-Jefferson has become popular in the Philippines as fans noticed he moves and shoots like the late Kobe Bryant. While Kobe was right-handed, Hollin-Jefferson shoots with his left, but his looks and even his mannerisms are being compared to the Black Mamba.
Hollin-Jefferson has also put up Kobe-like numbers and even scored the most points in a game when he fired 39 in Jordan’s 87-95 loss to New Zealand.
Hollin-Jefferson’s strong showing in the World Cup is a testament to the amount of effort that he has put in to earn another trip to the NBA.
“Life is all about facing adversities and challenges, and I think my guy did that. He’s been out of the league for some time now, but he kept on chopping wood and carrying water. He didn’t give up. His game elevated, and I think guys are going to take notice,” Portis explained.
Going different routes
Portis and Hollis-Jefferson were the 22nd and 23rd picks in the NBA Draft, respectively. The 28-year-old Hollis-Jefferson last played for the Portland Trailblazers in 2021, the same year that Portis won a championship with the Milwaukee Bucks.
While Portis has cemented his status as one of the top backup big men in the NBA, Hollis-Jefferson bounced around overseas leagues. It was in the Philippines where Rondae won his first pro title early this year when he played as an import with TNT Tropang Giga in the Philippine Basketball Association.
Hollis-Jefferson returned to the Philippines for the World Cup after he was recruited by Jordan as a naturalized player. RHA said being out of the NBA has taught him a lot of life lessons.
“Once I was out of the league, I had to reevaluate myself. I came out of high school and was top 25. I was in the green room for the (NBA Draft) lottery. I felt like I was on a pedestal. I [felt] like I could do anything I wanted. Not being in the NBA and not having a roster spot kinda woke me up to humble myself,” Hollis-Jefferson said.
Rondae has persevered to be back on top but admitted there was a time when he thought that he could no longer return to competitive basketball.
“And I felt I doubted myself. I thought I wasn’t capable of being a basketball player anymore, I wanted to give up. and I had one son at the time, and he just kept me alive, kept the hope alive for me to keep going and keep pushing. I went through a lot, ups and downs, but he kept me focused along with other people.”
Just like Portis, New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson also believes that Hollis-Jefferson can still play at a high level.
“I mean, one thing–NBA is very tough. Seeing a player like that, still playing basketball at a high level. Still doing things on the world stage. It’s very inspiring,” Brunson explained.
Portis said competing in the World Cup may pave the way for his close friend’s return to the NBA.
“I know Dennis Schröder got back into the league last year through the same type of event. I hope the same thing will go for Rondae,” Portis said. “I’m cheering for him through and through. That’s my brother for life.”
