Previous Scouting Reports:
Last Thursday the Portland Trail Blazers began interviewing draft prospects at the NBA Combine. One of their first interviews was Rondae Hollis-Jefferson from the University of Arizona.
In his interviews with reports Hollis-Jefferson said, “Right now, I’ll say I’m a couple steps ahead of my generation (defensively). I’m playing chess out there and a lot of guys are playing checkers … I think I could bring a lot of energy, a lot of defense, and I’m a hard worker.”
This guy is confident, and sounds ready for the challenge of entering the most competitive basketball league in the world.
Here is my scouting report on the small forward.
Scouting Report: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
Hometown: Chester, Pennsylvania
Height: 6’7” (w/ shoes)
Weight: 210.8 lbs.
Noted Measurables: 7’2” wingspan!!! 5.0% body fat, 38” max vertical jump, 10.51 second lane agility time (All measurements from 2015 NBA Combine)
School: University of Arizona (2 seasons)
Experience: 76 games played, 2 years in college. (First-team All-PAC-12 in 2015, PAC-12 All-Defensive Team in 2015)
Age: 20 (January 3, 1995)
College Statistics: 10.2 points per game, 6.3 rebounds per game, 1.5 assists per game, 0.9 steals per game, 0.9 blocks per game
Scouting Report: Long wing span. Constantly in passing lanes. Great energy on defensive end. Can finish at the rim with contact. Loves to play above the rim. Seems aloof on offense at times when he is not involved in the play. Numbers don’t show it but he is a willing and able facilitator. Rebounds well above average for his position. Can lock down the opposing team’s star player. Can defend three positions. Needs to work on his shot. Only shot slightly above 20% from beyond the arc. Improved each year in college. Good ball handling skills for wing player. Could be a day one starter in NBA. Very fast feet, can recover quickly on defense. Active hands on defense.
Highlights:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpHsf0WSWgk] [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNWPLM8vo4A]NBA Comparison: Tony Allen – Hat Tip to Arizona Desert Storm on this comparison. Hollis-Jefferson is longer and taller than Allen. The thing that makes these two so similar is their style of defense. They are both energized defensive players. They never quit on a play on defense. Both play right in the opponents face and are pests for the entirety of the shot clock. Hollis-Jefferson has the size advantage and a little bit of a quickness advantage coming out of college. The one thing that Hollis-Jefferson needs to remedy is his offensive game. Allen’s defensive game has gotten better and better every year but his offense is rather stagnant. He can be a liability on the floor at some points because on the offensive side of the court, the other team can help off and not guard Allen closely. If Hollis- Jefferson can improve his offensive game and become a two-way player, his comparison could move in the Kawhi Leonard discussion!
Where he would fit in Portland: This season a lot of Portland fans were down on Nicolas Batum. The first half of the season Batum was missing in action, the second half of the season he played much better was struggled with injuries. There have been persistent rumors that Batum may be traded around the draft to bring in a veteran player or to move up in the draft. If that is the case, Hollis-Jefferson could slide into the Blazers lineup. The main problem with Hollis-Jefferson in the Blazers’ starting lineup is his lack of 3-point shooting. He shot just north of 20% last season, that won’t cut it in a Terry Stotts offense. That may be more acceptable off the bench as a defensive stopper, but if you have to give up Batum to get Hollis-Jefferson, you have a big hole at the small forward position. Hollis-Jefferson is slated as a mid-to late first round pick. The Blazers have the 23rd pick. As athletic and impressive Hollis-Jefferson has been at the combine, my guess is his draft stock will rise as he has individual workouts with teams. This would lead to Portland having to move up in the draft to get him. Are they willing to give Nicolas Batum and their 23rd pick for Hollis Jefferson?
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