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That team is Brooklyn not Portland after the trade on draft night (Slam Twitter)
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Arizona Wildcats coach Sean Miller made NBA draft history for the program tonight with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Stanley Johnson taken in the first round.
Their selections means Miller has produced five first-round picks in a five-year span for the first time in Arizona’s history. The highest rate of first-round production in a five-year span previously was four at six different times under Lute Olson.
What this means: Miller has established himself as one of the nation’s best recruiters and evaluators of talent in his six years at Arizona. Prospects know he can get them to the next level. The pros he has produced, including Hollis-Jefferson and Johnson now, are ardent supporters of Miller and thankful for what he meant to their development.
That’s another recruiting bonanza for Miller and Arizona.
Hollis-Jefferson was taken as the No. 23 selection overall by Portland after Johnson was drafted as a lottery pick at No. 8 by Detroit. Hollis-Jefferson was later traded to Brooklyn, which sent Mason Plumlee to the Blazers.
They comprise the third pair to be picked in the first round out of Arizona in the same year. The others are Sean Elliott and Anthony Cook in 1989 and Mike Bibby and Michael Dickerson in 1998.
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Site founder and award-winning sports journalist Javier Morales has published his first e-book, “The Highest Form of Living”, a fiction piece about a young man who overcomes a troubled upbringing without his lost father and wayward mother through basketball and hope. His hope is realized through the sport he loves. Basketball enables him to get past his fears. His experience on the court indirectly brings him closer to his parents in a unique, heartfelt way. Please order it at Amazon (for only $4.99) by clicking on the photo:
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Some notable Tweets about Hollis-Jefferson’s selection:
Admit it, you like Rondae’s pants …
#APlayersProgram has multiple first-rounders for third time in program history, and first since 1998! pic.twitter.com/RgcJBnJAN9
— Arizona Basketball (@APlayersProgram) June 26, 2015
Well, okay then …
Rondae's pants are giving me life right now.
— Ashlee (@ashlee_riehl) June 26, 2015
Sean Miller’s kind of player with his work ethic. He’ll miss the heart of Hollis-Jefferson and T.J. McConnell very much.
Rondae is far from being a finished product & I’m excited to see how his game develops in the coming years through hard work & dedication.
— Sean Miller (@UACoachMiller) June 26, 2015
Portland native and former Trail Blazers star Damon Stoudamire is one of Hollis-Jefferson’s biggest supporters. Too bad he’s not playing for his hometown team after all.
Portland you are getting a absolute dog in @RondaeHJ23!! Toughest guy on the court every game! Rondae love you boy! Congrats! #hometeam
— Damon Stoudamire (@Iambiggie503) June 26, 2015
Good comparison along with Kawhi Leonard of San Antonio.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has Stacey Augmon like ability. Can guard four positions. If he adds offense, has a chance to be an excellent pro.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) June 26, 2015
Another good comparison. Andre Iguodala and Hollis-Jefferson left after their sophomore season and even Lute Olson questioned Iguodala’s shooting ability.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is my sleeper in the draft. Love this pick for the Blazers. Best wing defender in the draft. Upside is Iguodala
— Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June 26, 2015
Oh, you know, he’s the best overall defender in the draft … and he is going to Brooklyn …
What can you tell us about Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, @AZATHLETICS?
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) June 26, 2015
Defense on the pick and roll mentioned often as a reason and the fact that he comes from an established program like Arizona. … But Blazers fans will see that against them when Hollis-Jefferson visits with the Nets.
Why Blazers fans will love Rondae Hollis-Jefferson: #RipCity #BlazersTalk http://t.co/GWyELZN0Tg pic.twitter.com/ZQjdz7aLjf
— CSNNW (@CSNNW) June 26, 2015
ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He has also written articles for Bleacher Report and Lindy’s College Sports.
