Phone is working overtime for Jefferson

One June 15 college coaches could finally begin calling recruits in the class of 2012. It is absolutely no surprise that one of the members of the class to receive the most phone calls was Amile Jefferson. The Philadelphia combo forward has proved to be one of the best in the nation, and coaches are well aware of that.

Getting invited to the NBA Players Association Top 100 Camp is an honor for any player, but it is especially impressive for an underclassmen. One of the few class of 2012 members to be invited was Jefferson, and he took the time at the camp to get better and learn from the coaching.

"I think the camp went very well," said Jefferson. "The coaches were former NBA guys and guys still in the league. I just tried to learn as much as I could."

Jefferson was solid at the NBA Camp proving he belongs in the discussion as one of the best in the class, and all summer long he has been showing off his improved game.

"The summer is just starting, but I think I have played well," said Jefferson. "I think my team as a whole has done very well. Individually I am definitely trying to work on my handle and my shooting. Also I am trying to get stronger so I go down low and bang a little more and rebound a little better."

At 6 feet 7 and 185 pounds, Jefferson is the type of combo forward that has excelled recently in college basketball. With that size and a unique skill set, it is no surprise that things have been busy for him on the recruiting trail.

"Recruiting has been going good," said Jefferson. "Coaches have been able to call for a few days, and it is getting better, especially being able to talk to the coaches. I am finally able to see what I like and get a feel for the different coaches at different schools."

When the coaches could call for the first time on June 15 it didn't take too long for Jefferson's phone to start buzzing, though he did point out that none of the calls came at the stroke of midnight.

"All the coaches starting calling early in the morning," explained Jefferson. "I think the first call was Wake Forest, and I was already up. I had actually forgotten all about it being the first day they could call. I was actually at a friend's house and I answered the phone not knowing who it was. We talked, and that was my first call. As the day went on it was more and more. It wasn't too bad since half the coaches called my father who is real involved in my recruitment."

Now that the offers can be official, Jefferson has an impressive list of schools that have come forward.

"I currently have offers from Wake Forest, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Villanova, Penn State, Temple, and LaSalle," listed Jefferson.

At the moment Jefferson is nowhere near a decision, but for the well spoken young prospect he does have a good feel for what he will be looking for in a school when the time comes for him to make a choice.

"The first thing I will be looking for is a school that combines great academics with great athletics," said Jefferson. "Also I will be looking for a school where I can fit in and play multiple positions. I don't want to just be put at the four spot, I want to be able to play on the wing and handle the ball and show my versatility."

Currently Jefferson ranks in the top 10 in the 2012 rankings, and when they get updated his stock should remain high.