2015 Phoenix Suns Draft Profile: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Defense Wins Championships

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

School: University of Arizona

Date of Birth: 10/3/1995 (20 years old)

Draft Range: BSotS - 16, Draft Express - 22, Sports Illustrated - 27, Gary Parris - CBS Sports - 26, NBA.com - 17

Stats

Stats from DraftExpress.com

Measurables

Height: 6'5.5" without shoes, 6'7" with shoes

Weight: 211 pounds

Wingspan: 7'2"

Standing Reach: 8'8"

Combine Numbers

No Step Vertical Leap: 32"

Maximum Vertical Leap: 38"

Body Fat: 5%

Offense

Offense is the worst part of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson's game. He struggles scoring in half court offensive sets. His poor shooting from the outside allows defenders to sag off of him, making it more difficult for him to drive past them. He can occasionally beat his man off the dribble by using pure athleticism, but his limited ball handing skills and lack of ability to use his off hand limit him when trying to attack the basket. Most of his points come off fast breaks where he thrives at getting out in transition to get the easy basket. In the half court Rondae does a solid job at getting baskets off of cutting and out working opponents for the offense rebound and put back. The biggest flaw to Rondae's game is his jump shot. If he had a reliable jump shot he would be projected to be drafted in the early lottery. If Rondae can develop a jump shot and work on his ball handling abilities he could become the biggest steal in the draft.

Defense

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson shines on the defensive side of the floor. Defense is where he will make his mark in the NBA. Rondae's NBA ready body will allow him to effectively guard NBA wings and point guards from day one. He uses his strength and wingspan to make offensive players lives miserable. He moves his feet well on defense allowing him to stick with quicker players. During the NCAA tournament he held top five projected pick, D'Angelo Russell to 9 points on 2 for 12 shooting while he was guarding him. Rondae is a fierce competitor and always wants to guard the best player on the opposing team. To make things better, Rondae prides himself on defense and enjoys it. He has an endless motor and strives to be the best defender possible. He is the type of player who will do all the little things for the team, like diving for loose balls or getting a key defensive stop. Rondae is also a very good rebounder for the wing position. He uses his superior athleticism and strength to out rebound his opponents.

Fit With The Suns

Danny Granger excised his option with the Suns three days ago on Wednesday making the Suns have four small forwards on the roster. If the Suns were to draft Rondae there would be five small forwards on the roster, T.J. Warren, P.J. Tucker, Danny Granger, and Marcus Morris. Adding another wing to rotation doesn't seem like the smartest move by the front office unless at least one of the other small forwards is traded. The Suns could draft Rondae at 13 if they think he is the best player available, but most people think there is better talent available. Rondae doesn't fit very well with the Suns roster right now. The Suns need more players that can spread the floor. He's defense, rebounding, and intensity would be welcomed, but it is just hard to see where he would fit into the rotation.

Rondae had the best interview I've seen from a prospect this year when he came to do a pre-draft workout for the Suns. In his interview he talked about all the workouts he's been to, gave a motivational speech about giving it your all and working hard, gave a scouting report on himself, how his defense translate to the NBA, and more: