Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson

Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson
No. 15 – Taipei Taishin Mars
PositionPower forward
LeagueTaiwan Professional Basketball League
Personal information
Born (1991-06-26) June 26, 1991 (age 33)
Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High schoolChester (Chester, Pennsylvania)
CollegeTemple (2009–2013)
NBA draft2013: undrafted
Playing career2013–present
Career history
2013–2014AB Contern
2014Delaware 87ers
2016–2017Orangeville A's
2017–2018Northern Arizona Suns
2018–2019Kataja
2019–2020Memphis Hustle
2021–2023Kataja
2023OSE Lions
2023–2024TNT Tropang Giga
2024–presentTaipei Mars / Taipei Taishin Mars
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata

Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson (born June 26, 1991) is an American professional basketball player for the Taipei Taishin Mars of the Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL). He played college basketball with the Temple Owls and has experience playing professionally in Luxembourg and Finland.

High school career

Hollis-Jefferson played high school basketball at Chester High School in Chester, Pennsylvania. In his junior season, he averaged 10.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game and lifted the Clippers to a win over Norristown High School to claim the PIAA Class AAAA state title. In the championship game, he faced Khalif Wyatt, his future Temple college teammate. The Philadelphia Inquirer named Hollis-Jefferson second team all-Southeastern Pennsylvania as well. As a senior, he averaged 17.6 points and 10.0 rebounds, recording 25 double-doubles in just 29 games.[1]

College career

Hollis-Jefferson played college basketball with the Temple Owls from 2009 to 2013. As a junior, he averaged 5.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. He improved those numbers to 9.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game as a senior.[1]

Professional career

After leaving Temple, Hollis-Jefferson signed his first professional contract with AB Contern of the Total League in Luxembourg.[2] He commented on the country, "It was pretty cool. I enjoyed the time there and the people were nice."[2]

In 2014, Hollis-Jefferson returned to his home country to play for the Delaware 87ers of the NBA Development League. However, he received limited playing time.[3]

On October 13, 2015, Hollis-Jefferson signed with the Saint John Mill Rats of the National Basketball League of Canada (NBL).[4] However, he would never play a game for the team.

In 2016, Hollis-Jefferson signed with the Orangeville A's for the National Basketball League of Canada (NBL). At the end of the season, Hollis-Jefferson was named the Defensive Player of the Year for the league.

In October 2017, Hollis-Jefferson was drafted by the Northern Arizona Suns of the NBA G League. He averaged 9.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. On August 14, 2018, he signed with Kataja BC of the Finnish league.[5]

For the 2019–20 season, Hollis-Jefferson was signed by the Memphis Hustle.[6] He was waived on January 14, 2020, but was re-acquired by the Hustle two days later after Matt Mooney received a call-up.[7] Hollis-Jefferson averaged 6.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. He signed with Kataja on November 24, 2021.[8]

On December 14, 2023, he signed with the TNT Tropang Giga of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) to replace Quincy Miller as one of the team's import for its participation in the 2023–24 East Asia Super League.[9] He teamed up with his brother Rondae who is the other import for the team. However, Rahlir replaced his brother Rondae as the team's import for the 2023–24 PBA Commissioner's Cup due to the latter's injury.[10]

On February 6, 2024, Hollis-Jefferson signed with the Taipei Mars of the T1 League.[11] On May 4, Hollis-Jefferson had suffered the Achilles tendon rupture during the semifinals series game 1, and he would miss the remainder of the 2023–24 season.[12] On December 23, Hollis-Jefferson returned to the Taipei Taishin Mars of the Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL).[13]

Personal life

Rahlir is the older brother of fellow basketball player Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.[2] His uncle, Karim Alexander, was murdered on August 5, 2008, and it was never solved.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b "Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson bio". OwlSports.com. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  2. ^ a b c "Globetrotting ex-Owl Hollis-Jefferson hopes to stick around". Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  3. ^ Vito, Christopher (12 January 2012). "Hollis-Jefferson's game continues to develop". Delaware County Daily Times. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  4. ^ "Mill Rats Ink Hollis-Jefferson". OurSportsCentral.com. 13 October 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  5. ^ "Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson signs with Kataja Basket". Sportando. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  6. ^ a b O'Leary, Chris (December 31, 2019). "A Beacon Of Hope: Why Rondae Hollis-Jefferson Gives Back". NBA.com. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  7. ^ Langham, Geoff (January 16, 2020). "Memphis Hustle reacquire Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson". NBA.com. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  8. ^ "Kataja welcomes back Hollis-Jefferson". Eurobasket. November 24, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  9. ^ "TNT signs Rondae Hollis-Jefferson's older brother Rahlir for EASL". Spin.ph. December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  10. ^ Terrado, Reuben (December 25, 2023). "Rondae Hollis-Jefferson out for the conference as brod Rahlir steps in". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  11. ^ "「約旦Kobe」的哥哥來了！ 台北戰神新洋將赫里斯-傑佛森報到". ETtoday. February 6, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  12. ^ "黑豹阿巴西季後賽G2缺陣 腳踝扭傷成特攻大考驗". ETtoday. May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  13. ^ "「約旦Kobe」的哥哥重返台北戰神！克服跟腱重傷最快上場時間曝". ETtoday. December 23, 2024. Retrieved December 23, 2024.