Jordan working on RHJ naturalization

Jordan is working on the naturalization of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson to make him eligible to see action in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Manila from 25 August to 10 September.

In an Instagram post, the Jordan Basketball Federation confirmed that the 28-year-old former TNT Tropang Giga import will be its reinforcement in the prestigious 32-nation event if ever his naturalization process gets completed.

Hollis-Jefferson is a seasoned journeyman.

After a six-year National Basketball Association career where he played for the Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors, and Portland Trail Blazers, he campaigned in Turkey, Puerto Rico, and South Korea.

Then, he landed on the Philippine Basketball Association, where he powered the Tropang Giga past Justin Brownlee and the mighty Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the Governors' Cup finals.

He returned to Puerto Rico before joining Jordan in its preparation for the World Cup, where it is bunched in Group C together with the United States, Greece and New Zealand. The group will play its preliminary assignments at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Hollis-Jefferson is tipped to replace Dar Tucker, the 6-foot-6 playmaker who guided the Falcons in the previous windows of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, as naturalized player.

"American Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has been signed as a new player for the Jordan Falcons in the World Cup," the Jordanian cage federation said.

"Rondae (28 years old) played six seasons in the American league with the Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors, and Portland Trail Blazers besides having professional experiences in Turkish, South Korean, Filipino, and Puerto Rican leagues. He was also selected as the best professional player in the Philippine league."

The federation added that Hollis-Jefferson is with the Falcons in their training camp in Lithuania.

Although he didn't see action in their 75-101 setback in their friendly match with the Lithuanian national squad in Alytus, he is developing great chemistry and camaraderie with his Jordanian teammates, including stars like Zaid Abbas and Freddy Ibrahim.

Hollis-Jefferson, instead, will be tested when the Falcons compete in the four-nation Portugal Cup against Ivory Coast, Portugal and Czech Republic.

"Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is in the camp of the national team in the Republic of Lithuania and he has shown harmony during training with the Falcons players. He did not take part in today's friendly match with Lithuania but will be fit to start in the Portugal tournament."

"The union intensifies its communication to officially treat Jordanian citizenship until completed playing cards can be sent to request acceptance on the FIBA list."