LAS VEGAS -- A distance of 23 miles is minimal in the grand scheme of the NBA.
So when North Philadelphia's Tahjere McCall and Chester's Rondae Hollis-Jefferson met for the first time on the Nets' summer league squad, they clicked instantly.
"We like to see other kids from our area do good," Hollis-Jefferson said.
Hollis-Jefferson and McCall, who attended high schools just 23 miles away, took very different paths to get to the same summer league squad.
Hollis-Jefferson became a McDonald's All-American while at Chester High School. He declared for the NBA draft after two years of college ball at Arizona. He was selected 23rd overall in 2015 and is entering his third season in the league. Hollis-Jefferson already has played in 107 games for the Nets.
McCall went to Carver High School of Engineering & Science in Philadelphia. He didn't play high school basketball until his junior year and never played on the AAU circut. McCall initially attended Niagara before transferring to Tennessee State, where he graduated this spring. The Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year, McCall went undrafted in June and received a summer league invite from the Nets after making an impression during a pre-draft workout. He also worked out for the Sixers at one point before the draft.
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Despite different their different paths, the two players bonded.
"He has the best personality, kind of reminds me of me," Hollis-Jefferson said with a laugh. "It's amazing to have that around you, that energy. I just gravitated to him and likewise. It was fun being out there, him dancing. It's good to see people like that. Teams like when you have somebody that can bring up the energy."
Hollis-Jefferson averaged 23.5 minutes per game for the Nets in the summer league. McCall, however, was sidelined because of injuries. He didn't appear in the games, yet stayed positive over the two weeks.
"[I want to show I am a] good character kid," McCall said, maintaining eye contact and keeping a smile throughout the entire interview. "Everybody out here is skilled and could do things, but I just want to be a good teammate and a good person."
Hollis-Jefferson is under contract with the Nets this coming season. McCall will continue to try to continue his basketball career on the next level. He knows he has a lot to prove, but he's been in this situation before.
"You get it from being in Philly -- wherever you go, you feel like you're the best player and nobody can beat you," McCall said. "But flying under the radar, that just let me be myself and let me move freely. I'm used to it so it doesn't really bother me anymore."
