The ghost of Kobe Bryant entered the minds of NBA fans with the most recent performance put up by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Many of us might be aware that the 2023 FIBA World Cup is currently underway. The best basketball players from across the world are eager to use this opportunity to represent their country and nationality.
It might interest fans to know that Rondae is not from the United States. Instead, he is from Jordan, a country in the Middle East. Since he has already been in the NBA for several years now, it was no real surprise that he was selected to represent his country.
The real shock set in after fans watched his game against Greece. Soon, people started claiming that Jefferson could legitimately be a “Kobe Bryant clone.” This must make readers want to understand the reasons for him being compared to the late Lakers legend. With that being said, let us take a closer look at his accomplishments and what he had to say.
Why is Rondae Hollis-Jefferson garnering Kobe Bryant comparisons?
Many NBA fans might not have even heard of Rondae Hollis-Jeffferson until now., He was drafted into the NBA with the 23rd pick of the 2015 NBA Draft and is best known for his time with the Brooklyn Nets. When Jefferson stepped onto the court to represent his country, social media lit up with theories of a “Kobe Bryant clone.”
Who Is Rondae Hollis-Jefferson? All About the ‘Kobe Bryant Clone’ at the 2023 Fiba World Cup.https://t.co/eoGx2og19h
— Sportsmanor (@sports_manor) August 28, 2023
Anyone who watched the game between Jordan and Greece will certainly know why. Not only is Rondae eerily similar to Kobe in terms of height and build, but he also adorned the iconic #24 jersey that fans across the world associate with Bryant. Moreover, he also seemed to be moving and playing in a manner similar to that of the Black Mamba.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson moves and plays like Kobe Bryant 🥹pic.twitter.com/DJcNyyBpQU
— ŃBACentel (@TheNBACentel) August 26, 2023
Since Jefferson also looked physically similar to Bryant, at least from a distance, fans instantly began to compare him to Kobe. To make matters almost supernatural, Jefferson finished the game with 24 points, drawing another connection to Bryant. Here is what Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had to say when asked about the comparisons to Kobe.
“It means a lot. It’s an honor you know. Definitely, there was only one Kobe but to feel that love and that energy you know coming down the stretch and hitting those big shots, god was with me and Kobe was with me for sure.”
“It’s an honor. There was only one Kobe, but to feel that love & that energy coming down the stretch, hitting those big shots, God was with me & Kobe was with me, for sure.”
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson on the Kobe Bryant comparisons.
(via @BasketNews_com)pic.twitter.com/ah1f9oDlLw
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 28, 2023
Although this might not mean much in the grand scheme of events, fans must certainly be happy to see that elite-level basketball continues to be associated with Kobe Bryant. We are glad that Rondae used this opportunity to pay respects to the Black Mamba.