Rondae Hollis-Jefferson's enduring love for the Philippines can be traced back to his experience playing for the Philippine national basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas, in the 2019 FIBA World Cup. Despite being born and raised in the United States, Hollis-Jefferson developed a deep connection with the Filipino culture and people during his time representing the country.

One of the reasons behind Hollis-Jefferson's love for the Philippines is the overwhelming support and passion he witnessed from Filipino basketball fans. During the World Cup, the Gilas Pilipinas games were often sold out, and the fans' energy and enthusiasm were contagious. The love and support he received from the Filipino fans left a lasting impression on him.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Hollis-Jefferson expressed his gratitude towards the Filipino fans, saying, "The love and support that I got from the Filipino fans, it was amazing. I just want to say thank you to them. They made me feel welcome, they made me feel like family."

Moreover, Hollis-Jefferson embraced the Filipino culture wholeheartedly during his time in the Philippines. He made an effort to learn some Tagalog phrases and even incorporated them into his social media posts. He also tried traditional Filipino foods and expressed his love for dishes like adobo and sinigang.

Hollis-Jefferson's connection with the Philippines goes beyond basketball. He has shown his commitment to giving back to the Filipino community by participating in various charitable activities. During his visit to the Philippines, he joined a basketball clinic for underprivileged children and distributed school supplies to those in need.

His love for the Philippines extends to his interactions with Filipino basketball players as well. Hollis-Jefferson has formed friendships with Filipino basketball stars like Kai Sotto and Thirdy Ravena. He has been supportive of their basketball journeys and has even expressed his desire to play alongside them in the future.

In summary, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson's enduring love for the Philippines stems from the overwhelming support and passion he received from Filipino basketball fans, his embrace of the Filipino culture, and his commitment to giving back to the community. His connection with the Philippines goes beyond basketball and is evident in his interactions with Filipino players and his desire to continue being a part of the Filipino basketball landscape.

Rick Stewart

Rick Stewart

Rick Stewart

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