Jordan ahead Rondae Hollis Jefferson (24) celebrates after a basket towards New Zealand through the second half of a Basketball World Cup group C match in Manila, Philippines Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. (AP Photograph/Michael Conroy)
The discuss after the primary recreation of Monday’s Fiba World Cup twinbill at Mall of Asia Area was not about New Zealand taking a hard-fought 95-87 extra time defeat, however how naturalized Jordan participant and PBA champion Rondae Hollis-Jefferson placed on a valiant effort that made him a fan favourite.
“It means lot, it’s an honor,” Hollis-Jefferson mentioned earlier than a throng of mediamen who targeted on him reasonably than any of the successful gamers from the Kiwi facet on the combined zone space as he was requested concerning the chants from followers, a few of them referring to his facial similarities with the nice Kobe Bryant.
He completed in Kobe-like style, capturing 39 factors highlighted by a shocking four-point play within the dying seconds of regulation that compelled an extension. However Hollis-Jefferson and the remainder of the Jordanians ran out of steam to undergo a second straight loss in Group C.
“I’m undoubtedly not Kobe, however to really feel that love, that power, coming down the stretch hitting these huge photographs, God was with me, Kobe was with me, for positive.” added the previous NBA participant after getting the adulation that was in stark distinction through the latter a part of his PBA marketing campaign with TNT.
It was April when Hollis-Jefferson was some form of Public Enemy No. 1, the TNT import being booed by Barangay Ginebra followers within the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.
Barangay Ginebra netizens, although not all, have been irked with a few of Hollis-Jefferson’s misinterpreted vanity in comparison with humble Ginebra counterpart Justin Brownlee.
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