Height (w/shoes): 6’7
Weight: 211
Wingspan: 7’2
No Step Vert: 32.0
Max Vert: 38.0
(Measurements via DraftExpress)
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is one of the best defenders in the draft and fits nicely in this new era of defense where versatility is critical. He defended all positions while at Arizona, and his athleticism is off the charts. He has exceptional lateral quickness and the wingspan to give guards space, but still contest their shot. Though he defended the post well at times, he’s going to need to beef up his 211 pound frame if he wants that skill to translate in the pros. Draymond Green, who seems to be the comparison many are making, has similar measurements (6’7 with 7’1.25 wingspan), but carries a solid 230 pounds. At only 20 years of age, muscle gain shouldn’t be an issue for Hollis-Jefferson, and it will be huge part of how successful he is. Hollis-Jefferson was a good on the boards (6.8 rpg last season) and wasn’t afraid to throw his body around and put pressure on the opposition. He also plays the passing lanes very well (1.2 steals a game), and has the potential to lead fast breaks. Like most rookies, you can expect him to struggle learning team defense. However, Hollis-Jefferson is the most complete defender in the draft and will impress on that end in the next level.
The biggest knock on Hollis-Jefferson is his offense, specifically the shooting. His mechanics are loose, inconsistent and he has a bad habit of shooting on the way down. Though he understands his limitations as a player, and doesn’t force too many shots, he’s a guy defenses may ignore. One thing he does well offensively is finish strong at the rim. He’ll be an ideal candidate for clean-up baskets, lobs and transition buckets. His free throw shooting (70%) is average. Hollis-Jefferson has shown some skill dribbling the basketball, and could eventually become a player who can bring the ball up a few times a game. However, he can sometimes get too jittery, and often dribbles out of control which is a recipe for high turnover rates. As he works full-time on his game, he’ll eventually become more comfortable with his handle.
In Boston, Hollis-Jefferson has the defensive versatility that Brad Stevens loves, and maybe the NBA spacing makes him a bigger threat on the offense end. However, his skills do overlap a lot with Jae Crowder who seems confident that he’ll be resigning with the Celtics. Is it worth using a 1st round pick on RHJ when Crowder is just 24? My guess is that Boston takes him if he’s around with their early second round pick. Their need for scoring and front court defense doesn’t allow them the luxury of taking RHJ any earlier.
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