NBA Draft results 2015: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson traded to Brooklyn Nets
Hollis-Jefferson is headed to Brooklyn
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
[Update: Hollis-Jefferson has been traded with Steve Blake to the Brooklyn Nets, in exchange for Mason Plumlee and second-round pick Pat Connaughton. Original post below:]
The second Arizona Wildcat of the night has been drafted. Portland selected Rondae Hollis-Jefferson with the No. 23 pick after Stanley Johnson went at No. 8 to Detroit. Two of the best defenders in the class are now off the board.
Hollis-Jefferson established himself as one of the best perimeter stoppers in college basketball in his sophomore year, helping the Wildcats earn the third-best adjusted defensive efficiency in the country. The 6'7 forward's all-around energy and athleticism, alongside Johnson's, largely made up for the loss of Aaron Gordon to the NBA the year before.
The Wildcats won the Pac-12 tournament and made it to the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament, with Hollis-Jefferson averaging 11.2 points and seven rebounds a game. Despite not having range on his jumper, the wing found ways to score on cuts and offensive rebounds. In the final game of his college career, he finished with 17 points and eight rebounds, but his team couldn't handle Wisconsin despite his great performance.
Hollis-Jefferson could fight for minutes early in his Nets career. The most likely spot is as a backup to Joe Johnson, but he could also fight Bojan Bogdanovic for the other wing starter spot, especially if the Nets feel they need more defense on the court.
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