Nov 25, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) drives to the basket against Brooklyn Nets guard Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Seems like every time we turn around another Arizona Wildcats Basketball Alumni is making headlines.
Recently former Arizona Wildcat Luke Walton has been making NBA headlines subbing in for one of his mentors and boss, Steve Kerr breaking records and leading the Golden State Warriors to 19-0.
Sure, Kerr is still around at practice and in the stands at home games, still he isn’t in the thick of games subbing players in and out and guiding the team to wins, it’s Luke doing that.
But there are other former Wildcats in NBA news, let’s look at our recent Wildcats alumni and current NBA rookies.
Brooklyn Nets Rookie Small Forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
NBA Rookie and Brooklyn Net’s starting small forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has caught the attention of Net’s fans and media alike. Hollis-Jefferson is shooting 52.5%, has rebounded the ball 90 times in 15 games. Add to that the 24 assists and the 22 steals, and this Wildcat is doing just fine in the NBA.
| Season | Age | Pos | G | 3P | 3P% | 2P | 2P% | FT | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 21 | SF | 15 | 1 | .200 | 31 | .525 | 16 | .615 | 90 | 24 | 22 | 6 | 81 |
| Career | 15 | 1 | .200 | 31 | .525 | 16 | .615 | 90 | 24 | 22 | 6 | 81 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 11/28/2015.
Fansided’s Hoops Habit writer Ben Nadeau has slated Hollis-Jefferson as No. 3 of three candidates for NBA Rookie of the Year. His other two? He’s got the Minnesota Timberwolves Center Karl-Anthony Towns as his No. 1, and his No. 2 is New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis.
Nov 13, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo (9) passes the ball against Brooklyn Nets guard Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Brooklyn Nets 111-109. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
On November 28th, 2015, DraftKings and FanDual NBA experts suggested Rondae for their starting five.
At the NBA rookie photo shoot, all 36 rookies answered eight questions about their class, and they voted Hollis-Jefferson No. 1 as best defender and the funniest rookie (44.3% of the vote) and No. 6 at Most Athletic Rookie.
Fox Sports posted an article about how Hollis-Jefferson is getting the start from his coach because he is their best defender, it seems RHJ has a new nickname:
"The wing stopper who is now starting to earn the name “The Brooklyn Bandit” is actually averaging 2.6 steals per 36 minutes. As a wing, his rebound rate is higher than that of many power forwards and even centers. His steal rate of 3.7 percent, meanwhile, is high enough that it would lead the league in many years. Today, it places him fifth in the NBA."
Currently, The Brooklyn Bandit is ranked fifth in total rebounds and first in steals among all NBA Rookies.
Rondae’s Nets played Stanley Johnson’s Pistons this Sunday, and the Nets walked away with the win 87-83. Rondae added four rebounds to his total and Johnson five rebounds and ten points. Let’s talk next about Stanley Johnson.
Next: Stanley Johnson - Detroit Pistons