Jemison Playing Bigger and Better

Demetrius Jemison has heard the critics for some time. “He’s too small to play the power forward spot,” they say. The 6-foot-6, 225-pound power forward from Huffman (Ala.) High School knows it, too. Maybe that is why he plays the way he does. The rising junior is a bruising player that shines against the best of the best. College coaches are taking notice of his work ethic and put offers on the table.

Every year, there are a number of undersized power forwards. They are a dime a dozen. But there is something different about Jemison. He steps up his play against the best competition out there. At the Atlanta Basketball Classic, Jemison was the most valuable player in the tournament with his play for the Birmingham Raptors.

He was good for a double-double in every game and cleaned the glass like his life depended on it. One observer asked Jemison if he brought a box full of jerseys because Jemison would sweat through his number 24 before the half. Jemison said he scored 27 points and pulled down 16 rebounds against super 2005 prospect Richard Hendrix earlier in the year.

Jemison gets the job done as a rebounder and finds a way to get himself into position for the board. Offensively, he knows how to get position and work the ball into the basket. He’s quicker and stronger than he looks and occasionally, he’ll surprise you with a flat footed dunk from the post. College coaches have seen Jemison in action and decided to get in early with the No. 88 ranked player in the class of 2006.

“Tennessee, Cincinnati, Illinois, Auburn and UAB have been there so far,” Jemison said. “Illinois - I’m feeling them. They’ve been sending me a lot of stuff lately. Tennessee - I still like them a lot, too. They’ve been with me for a while.”

According to Jemison, Cincinnati, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and UAB have offered scholarships.

Recruiters will be able to see more of Jemsion at the adidas Superstar camp in Suwannee, Ga., in July.