Rising Junior Center Dazzles

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA -- Al Jefferson, a rising junior center from Prentis (MS) High School, dazzled those in the stands last night at the NBA Players Association High School Camp in Richmond, VA.

Jefferson, who is currently 6-10 and 280 pounds, is a master in the paint. During one game, he made at least three blocks each time keeping the ball in play. In one instance, he blocked a layup attempt and was underneath the basket at the other end of the floor for the pass on the break. Result - dunk. Jefferson plays strong defense and, as noted by the above example, runs the floor well. In a matchup with 7-1 rising senior Jarrod Boswell, he won hands up, down and sideways.

His AAU coach, Larry Stamps, said, "Jefferson grew about two inches and added 50 pounds since last summer. And I think he's still growing."

Stamps said that Jefferson's early list includes Alabama, Cincinnati, Florida, Kentucky, LSU, and North Carolina. His summer schedule includes an AAU event in Detroit next week, the Nike All-America Camp in Indianapolis, Peace Jam and perhaps the Nike Showcase.

Al Jefferson is a player to watch. Stamps indicated that he's a decent student and wants to go to college. But he's more than likely to hear from NBA scouts over the next two years.