Getty Image
The Las Vegas Summer League has given us plenty of wonderful moments. The debuts of Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith Jr., and Paolo Banchero have been the highlights. The much-anticipated battle between Paolo and Chet was done away with after the Orlando Magic shut down their No. 1 pick for the rest of the time in Sin City.
But, Monday night gave us something new. It was the NBA referring debut for Richard Jefferson. Jefferson put on the ref uniform in the second quarter of the Portland Trail Blazers-New York Knicks game.
.@Rjeff24 is set to make his referee debut 😀👏 pic.twitter.com/v4UM5gm8lB
— ESPN (@espn) July 12, 2022
This quarter of basketball seemed to last for an eternity, and Jefferson gave everybody plenty of hilarious moments.
His first call was overturned by himself after he consulted with another referee.
.@Rjeff24 changed his first-ever call as an NBA official 😅 pic.twitter.com/F9ffWzUs79
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 12, 2022
The moments kept coming, and he seemed to be having a terrific time on the court.
😅 @Rjeff24 what happened here?pic.twitter.com/nEzevxtE8B
— NBA (@NBA) July 12, 2022
.@Rjeff24 is getting the hang of things 😂 pic.twitter.com/sBdA9QpHOv
— ESPN (@espn) July 12, 2022
But, one fan didn’t love it and Jefferson now has a heckler!
A Las Vegas Summer League heckler welcomes Richard Jefferson to the court for his officiating debut: “You suck, Richard!” pic.twitter.com/ugNkNF8u5c
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) July 12, 2022
Jefferson even admitted it was fun while discussing with the other refs.
"This is fun. I can see why this is addicting."@Rjeff24 was mic'd up during his NBA referee debut 👏😅 pic.twitter.com/tZOwvynP4q
— ESPN (@espn) July 12, 2022
Jefferson even forgot to signal a made basket — although everybody knew it was good.
RJ forgot to signal it but the bucket is GOOD 🙌
Richard Jefferson officiating Q2 on ESPN 2 pic.twitter.com/L3zFMdii9e
— NBA (@NBA) July 12, 2022
The fans loved it and gave Jefferson an ovation every time he bounced the ball to the free-throw shooter.
Richard Jefferson receives an ovation every time he bounces the ball to the player at the free throw line 😂
(via @TomerAzarly) pic.twitter.com/0N0fLTPbxC
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 12, 2022
Who says Summer League isn’t a fun time? Jefferson also said he wants to do this again in the future.
.@Rjeff24 says he wants to ref again in next year’s summer league 😂 pic.twitter.com/MkvZMTxm0j
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 12, 2022
So, the 2023 Las Vegas Summer League might see another appearance from Jefferson. Oh, and here’s his statline.
a legendary summer league performance by @Rjeff24 pic.twitter.com/FqHHz2kk9U
— SB Nation (@SBNation) July 12, 2022
See you next year, Richard Jefferson!