Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson
Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 26, 1991 United States |
| Occupation | Professional basketball player |
| Years active | 2013–present |
| Known for | Playing for Taipei Mars in the T1 League, collegiate basketball at Temple Owls |
Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson (born June 26, 1991) is a professional basketball athlete from the United States, most recently associated with the Taipei Mars in the T1 League. His collegiate basketball tenure was with the Temple Owls, and he has competed professionally in both Luxembourg and Finland.
High school career
Hollis-Jefferson attended Chester High School located in Chester, Pennsylvania. During his junior year, he posted averages of 10.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.1 blocks per contest, playing a pivotal role in securing the PIAA Class AAAA state championship for the Clippers. The Philadelphia Inquirer recognized him as a second team all-Southeastern Pennsylvania selection. In his senior season, he elevated his performance to average 17.6 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, recording 25 double-doubles across 29 matchups.
College career
From 2009 through 2013, Hollis-Jefferson represented the Temple Owls at the collegiate level. His junior year statistics included averages of 5.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, which improved to 9.3 points and 6.6 rebounds during his senior season.
Professional career
Following his college graduation, Hollis-Jefferson signed with AB Contern competing in Luxembourg’s Total League, where he appreciated the welcoming culture and community.
In 2014, he became a member of the Delaware 87ers within the NBA Development League, although his minutes on the court were limited.
On October 13, 2015, Hollis-Jefferson inked a deal with the Saint John Mill Rats of the National Basketball League of Canada (NBL), but he did not participate in any games for the team.
The following year, he joined the Orangeville A's in NBL Canada and was honored as Defensive Player of the Year.
In October 2017, he was selected by the Northern Arizona Suns of the NBA G League, where he posted averages of 9.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. On August 14, 2018, Hollis-Jefferson signed with Finnish team Kataja BC.
For the 2019–20 campaign, he played with the Memphis Hustle, experiencing a brief waiver in January 2020 before being re-signed after a teammate’s promotion to the NBA. His averages were 6.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game during this period. He returned to play for Kataja in November 2021.
On December 14, 2023, Hollis-Jefferson joined the TNT Tropang Giga of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) for participation in the 2023–24 East Asia Super League, stepping in as an import alongside his brother Rondae by replacing Quincy Miller. When Rondae sustained an injury, Rahlir took over as TNT's import for the 2023–24 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
On February 6, 2024, he signed with the Taipei Mars of the T1 League. During playoff semifinals on May 4, he endured an Achilles tendon rupture that sidelined him for the rest of that season. He rejoined Taipei Taishin Mars of the Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL) on December 23 but departed from the squad by March 16, 2025, as confirmed by team officials.
Personal life
Rahlir is the elder sibling of fellow basketball player Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Their uncle, Karim Alexander, was tragically killed in 2008; this case remains unresolved.