Elder Hollis-Jefferson still working for his shot at dream
Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson’s basketball season ended in April, and outside of two or three days, he said he’s had a ball in his hands ever since.
The Chester native is hoping to be rewarded soon for that strong dedication to the game.
Hollis-Jefferson made the Detroit Pistons’ roster for the NBA’s Orlando Summer League. He didn’t log any minutes Tuesday in Detroit’s 73-71 win over Miami. The Pistons have one game remaining, in which he’s ostensibly a lock to play Wednesday against Charlotte, before the truncated summer league’s four-team playoff structure begins.
“I’m just biding my time, waiting for my chance,” Hollis-Jefferson, who turned 26 two weeks ago, said by phone.
Patience is a virtue strongly adheres.
“Yeah, you’re right laugh.
Hollis-Jefferson, a 2009 Chester All-Delco and 2013 Temple graduate, is looking to break into the NBA following his fourth pro season. Last season was his best to date. With the Orangeville A’s of the National Basketball League of Canada, HollisJefferson earned the defensive player of the year award and first-team all-league honors. He led the league in steals and minutes per game (37.7), and averaged 18.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.0 blocks.
“I played mostly the 3 and 4,” Hollis-Jefferson said. “My outside shot has gotten way better because I have more confidence in my shot-making ability. My 3(-point) percentage has gotten better, too. I think it’s just getting the reps up and having confidence in myself, basically.”
He shot 46.5 percent overall and from 3-point range for Orangeville.
When the A’s missed the NBCL playoffs, Hollis-Jefferson headed back to Delaware County for what he called “two or three days off.” Immediately afterward, he made a few calls and booked workouts at his alma mater, with Temple assistant coach Aaron McKie and former Owls guard Jesse Morgan. Then, he followed his 22-year-old brother — Brooklyn Nets forward Rondae HollisJefferson — to Miami. There, the brothers, a couple other players, and a trainer ran on-court workouts for a few weeks.
After pro stints in Luxembourg’s top league and with the Delaware 87ers, of the NBA’s D-League, Hollis-Jefferson views his current opportunity with the Pistons’ summer-league team as one he has to grasp.
“The whole thing, it just feels great,” said Hollis-Jefferson. “My agent (Mike George, of Excel to which about Hollis-Jefferson that,” he said 32.8 with a percent Sports Management) made it happen. He got me this opportunity, and I just came here and joined the roster and I’ve been practicing hard with these guys.
“It feels like you’re one step closer to a dream that you have as a younger kid. It’s right there and you just have to do everything you can to go get it.”
In such a finite window, is there anything Hollis-Jefferson wants to put on display for the Pistons’ coaching staff?
“There’s nothing in particular I want to show,” he said. “I just want to prove that I am able to compete at a high level and against high-caliber players.”
Detroit won’t send a team to the Las Vegas Summer League, which begins July 7. Following the Orlando league, there’s a chance another NBA team could scoop up the elder Hollis-Jefferson for that 10day, 24-team tournament in the desert. “I mean, there’s always a possibility,” he said. And that might be all a player like Hollis-Jefferson really needs.