Young prospects have been shuttling in and out of US Airways Center in the weeks leading up to the 2015 NBA Draft. Immediately after putting in hours of work to audition for the role of Phoenix's first-round pick, the soon-to-be pros spoke with local media.
Trey Lyles | Kelly Oubre | Bobby Portis | Devin Booker | Jerian Grant | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
RONDAE HOLLIS-JEFFERSON — Small Forward, Arizona
Info: 6-7, 211 pounds, 20 years old
2014-15 Stats: 28.7 mpg, 11.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.2 spg, 50.2 FG%
Draft ombine Measurements: 7'2" wingspan, 5.0% body fat, 8'8" standing reach
On what he wanted to show the Suns in his workout…
I go hard, no matter who’s there, no matter whether the chips are up or down, missing shots, making shots, I’m going to go hard. You only get better. You’re going to mess up through your process in life. You’re going to make mistakes. As long as you keep going hard, you keep fighting, the outcome will be in favor for you.
On whether he was motivated by working out against guys in his draft range…
I don’t see it. I don’t see it. I think you should be juiced up no matter who you play. Anybody could come at you. If you’re the underdog or if you’re being talked about or mentioned more, you should be ready no matter what. I see it as playing basketball. I’m going to enjoy it and go hard.
On how he would write out a scouting report of himself…
First off, you’ve got to match his [my] intensity. Second, you’ve got to know where he is at all times. he’s a good offensive rebounder, good defensive rebounder, great defensive player. He’s good in transition getting to the basket. He’s good at finding his teammates. He struggles a little bit from beyond the arc. He’s got a solid pull-up game, watch out for that.
On how his defense will help him in the league…
I’d say now the league is trying to make sure teams and guys can score. They also want to see guys play defense. Me having that mindset of being a defensive stopper, one of the best to play defense, I feel as though me making the transition to the NBA and learning more about how to play defense…it will only make me better. I’d say that would definitely get me on the court and keep me on the court for a little while.
On how he’s tried to improve his jump shot…
Just repetition [with] the little things that make your jump shot better. Holding your follow-through up. Making sure you get into your stance. Making sure you’re getting into that bend and up and off in one motion, smooth. Getting it off early rather than late is always good. I just keep working at it.