Rondae Hollis-Jefferson drew comparisons to the late, great Kobe Bryant during the 2023 FIBA World Cup in the Philippines.
The former first-round draft pick came into the tournament as one of the more notable US-born players with NBA experience who is not playing for Team USA during the international competition. He is a starting forward for Jordan.
Hollis-Jefferson hasn’t played in the NBA since 2021, but he drew attention during his first game of the tournament for resembling a left-handed Kobe Bryant. Not only did he wear 24, like Bryant, but he also physically looked like the five-time champion as well.
Kobe must be watching this, smiling. 🥹#FIBAWC x #WinForAll pic.twitter.com/G8QhHDgxFs
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 26, 2023
With a midrange-oriented game, there were even similarities with the way that he played on the court. The two players are both 6-foot-6 and even have similar haircuts.
Hollis-Jefferson emphasized that while he appreciated receiving this unique comparison, he is his own player (via ABC-CBN):
“It’s an honor for people to say that (being compared to Kobe), but at the end of the day, Kobe is Kobe, and I’m Rondae. I definitely watch a lot of film [of him], [and we have] similar size and athletic abilities,” he said.
He showcased those athletic abilities during his second game of the tournament, facing off against New Zealand, when he threw down a mesmerizing dunk:
RONDAE HOLLIS-JEFFERSON WITH THE DUNK OF THE TOURNAMENT! 🤯#FIBAWC x #WinForAll pic.twitter.com/auxnJxUFgl
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 28, 2023
Hollis-Jefferson said that during his interaction with the late Bryant, he was told to focus on his jump shot:
“He told me one day, 2016 I believe, I was able to give him the farewell gift, and I was just like: ‘Hey, do you have any advice for me?’ He told me to fall in love with the elbow [jumper], and ever since then, I’ve been working on my midrange and get better.”
The forward clearly took that advice and applied it on the international stage:
If you're not going to yell 'Kobe!' on that one, I'll do it for you.#FIBAWC x #WinForAll pic.twitter.com/D4GgHnaPmu
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 28, 2023
Later in the game, during the fourth quarter, Hollis-Jefferson drew contact from his defender and somehow connected on an and-one 3-pointer.
The improbable four-point play helped send the game into overtime for Jordan. Even the fans in the arena reportedly chanted “Kobe” after this shot.
RONDAE HOLLIS-JEFFERSON.
38 POINTS.
AND-ONE THREE-POINTER TO SEND IT TO OVERTIME.#FIBAWC x #WinForAll pic.twitter.com/i5qW7E6fAI— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 28, 2023
Hollis-Jefferson finished with a tournament-high 39 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists during the loss.
After the game, he told reporters that he felt like Bryant was with him during the four-point play.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson felt Kobe was with him and allowed him to hit those CLUTCH shots down the stretch 🥹🙏#FIBAWC #WinForAll pic.twitter.com/BoVw5co4NE
— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) August 28, 2023
Hollis-Jefferson says that ex-NBA guard Shabazz Napier has encouraged the forward to get a DNA test to find out if he is actually cousins with Bryant.
Related or not, unfortunately for Hollis-Jefferson, the Jordan national team will not advance to the next stage of the tournament after coming up short in the game against New Zealand.
Hollis-Jefferson, however, will have more eyes on him once again when Jordan plays against the United States during their final game of group play on Aug. 30 at 4:40 AM EST.
