“ I wanted to participate in the World Cup, my agent contacted them and they said they were looking for a naturalized player. I spoke to the coach and the rest, we know it. ” And this is how Rondae Hollis-Jeffersonnaturalized two months ago, finds himself today with the jersey of Jordan on his back.
Like other Americans who have gone through the same process for this competition, the former NBA player made his debut in a major international competition. A more satisfying start on a personal level than collectively: his selection lost heavily against Greece (71-92).
“For me, it’s not about personal statistics or anything else. It’s about winning. So we’ll go back to see the pictures and observe the details (to see) how to improve ourselves », show strong wingertop scorer in the game with 24 points (7/11 on shots, 9/11 on free throws), 9 rebounds and 3 assists.
Led by 13 points at the break (33-46), his team was able to react in the third quarter to return to only two possessions at the start of the last 10-minute period (60-66).
An upcoming duel against the United States
” We were trailing by 16 points, but we came back, so I think we have good chemistry “, judge” RHJ “whose selection let go at the end of the game (11-26) against the address of Giannoulis Larentzakis (19 points).
” It’s just about taking it to the next level. It’s about having that mindset of staying focused, hanging in there and not making too many mistakes. I have a feeling that if that’s what we do and we’re in contact in the last three minutes, we reduce the gap to two points in the last two minutes, who knows how the game can end ? “, still wonders the 28-year-old interior who has not played in the NBA since a brief stint with the Blazers at the end of the 2021 season.
His team will now focus on the next match on Monday against New Zealand. While knowing that the chances of qualification of the Jordanians are tiny because their last opponent is “Team USA”.
The competition allows at least the 23rd choice of the 2015 Draft, passed by the Nets and the Raptors, to show a little. But he, who played in the Korean championship last season, already has another goal in mind with his new team: the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
