While the initial few days of the FIBA World Cup started off tame, the last couple of days have given us bangers. Firstly, it was an excruciating contest between two of the better teams in the tournament Germany and Australia. Tonight, carrying the mantle is the game between Jordan and New Zealand. However, in a matchup between two relatively irrelevant teams, the name on everyone’s mind is Kobe Bryant.

Putting on a masterclass for the Jordan side is the internet’s newest sensation – 28-year-old left-handed Kobe.

An instant classic

While the New Zealand side was the better team coming in, everyone’s hopes were on one man. Throughout his career in the NBA, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson sported dreads. A solid role player, he was a good contributor for the Brooklyn Nets. In short stints with the Toronto Raptors and Portland Trailblazers, Jefferson became a valuable rotation piece. However, since then, he’s been playing in the BSN and has emerged as a star in his role. However, making it to the Jordan side, he became the star of the show.

As he ditched his dreads to instead sport a bald look, he reminded fans of a certain Los Angeles Lakers legend. Of similar build, 217 lbs to Kobe’s 212 and height, both stood at 6’6″, Rondae looked like a Bryant incarnation. However, it wasn’t just the looks as he quickly proved.

After a grueling game, with barely 15 seconds on the clock, New Zealand seemed in firm control with a 4-point lead. Just a couple of minutes prior, RHJ missed two crucial free throws further taking the game away from the Jordanian side. But, there was one last miracle in the books. Racing up the court, Rondae hoisted a three-point bomb.

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Moreover, contact on his shooting arm led to a foul call. A second later, the scores were 85-all and the FIBA World Cup had its first overtime. However, it wasn’t the only jaw-dropping play from Jefferson.

Left-handed Kobe Bryant falls short despite heroics

It began with an iconic dunk that might very well be the dunk of the entire tournament. Continuing, Jefferson was his team’s only answer to a relentless Kiwi attack. However, for most of the night, it seemed to be enough.

In the end though, the heroics fell short. New Zealand put up a remarkable display in OT, showcasing their resilience en route to a 95-87 victory. While Jefferson may not have won the match, he won infinite hearts throughout the world.

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Soon enough, he might not be the left-handed Kobe Bryant. He is Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.