Rondae Hollis-Jefferson on 39-point explosion: Kobe was with me

Jordan’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson shoots a fadeaway jumper against New Zealand in the Fiba World Cup at Mall of Asia Arena. -FIBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has been making rounds on social media for his resemblance to the late great Kobe Bryant—from his posture, and fadeaways to the No. 24 jersey.

The only stark difference: Hollis-Jefferson shoots left-handed.

Hollis-Jefferson on Monday channeled his Mamba Mentality and almost willed Jordan to an upset of New Zealand in overtime in the Fiba World Cup before a loud crowd at Mall of Asia Arena predominantly rooting for the former PBA import.

Chants of “Kobe” rained down on Hollis-Jefferson, who scored the most points in this World Cup so far with 39 points in the 95-87 loss, eclipsing the 37 points by Slovenia’s Luka Doncic two days ago.

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

“It means a lot. It’s an honor. There’s only one Kobe but to feel that love and that energy coming down the stretch hitting those big shots, God was with me, Kobe was with me for sure,” Hollis-Jefferson said on the Kobe comparisons he’s been getting since making his World Cup debut as Jordan’s naturalized player.

And there was nothing more Kobe-like than his four-point play in the final seconds of regulation that forced extra time.

“I just wanted to win. Everything said shoot it, everything said shoot it. so that’s what I did.”

That’s what Kobe would’ve done too.