The Toronto Raptors continue to try and build up replacement pieces for Kawhi Leonard.
After signing forward Stanley Johnson to a two-year deal yesterday, they've added another athletic forward to their roster in signing Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
Free agent forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has agreed to a one-year deal with the Toronto Raptors, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. Hollis-Jefferson gets fresh opportunity in Raptors development system and sets himself up for 2020 free agency.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 7, 2019
Who is Hollis-Jefferson and what will he bring to the table? Here are some fast facts on the former first round pick...
Background
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was born on January 3, 1995 (24-years old) and is from Chester, Pennsylvania.
He attended Chester High School and was selected as a McDonald's All-American in 2013 as the No. 16 ranked recruit in his class.
College Career
Hollis-Jefferson is an Arizona product who spent two years in college.
He was named to the All-Pac 12 Freshman Team in his first year averaging 9.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. As a sophomore, he bumped those numbers up to 11.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, earning himself a spot on the All-Pac 12 First Team.
Though he proved he could be a solid scorer and great rebounder, Hollis-Jefferson's calling card has always been his defence – he was also named to the All-Pac 12 Defensive Team his sophomore season.
Hollis-Jefferson declared for the draft after two seasons and was selected with the 23rd pick of the 2015 NBA Draft.
NBA Career
Hollis-Jefferson has always been seen as a player with great potential as he's a very athletic forward with a long wingspan that can defend multiple positions. He's yet to completely figure things out offensively, but as a defender and rebounder he's fairly polished.
RHJ has averaged 9.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game over his four years in the league, but his a career 44.4% shooter from the field and 22.3% shooter from beyond the arc.
His best season – 2017-18 – he averaged 13.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 steals in 28.2 minutes per game. His playing time took a slight dip this past season due to the depth of the Nets' roster, but RHJ was still called upon as a defensive specialist from time to time.
What He Brings
Hollis-Jefferson gives the Raptors another wing defender that can be used to guard just about any position.
He won't have to worry about scoring the ball on this team and he'll be a great player to give Pascal Siakam a blow in his first season as the go-to guy in Toronto.
He can play both the 3 and the 4, so RHJ should be useful as a flexible backup who can take on almost any defensive assignment. Nick Nurse should have some fun rotating Hollis-Jefferson in the mix when the Raptors need to defend big, strong and quick offensive forces like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Ben Simmons.