Texas big man coming on strong

Come July, college coaches will be sitting on the sidelines evaluating a number of class of 2009 prospects. Cory Jefferson, a 6-foot-9, 185-pound power forward from Killeen (Texas) High School, should certainly have a number of admirers.

Jefferson played well in the spring and came on strong when the coaches were anchored down in their offices instead of gyms. According to Jefferson's AAU coach Max Ivany of the Texas D1 Ambassadors, things are moving on the up and up for the rising junior.

"In May, he has really come on strong. You can really see the growth in his game," Ivany said. "I'd say his mental maturity as well as his emotional maturity is what is helping him. I think he can compete and perform pretty well no matter who he is playing against."

Jefferson led the Arizona Cactus Classic in blocked shots and had his bright moments at the event. His production at the Jayhawk Invitational also yielded moments of high-major potential.

Jefferson doesn't have any offers yet but the interest is there. Baylor, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are showing interest, Ivany says. Jefferson participated in the Texas Elite camp and a trip to Baylor's camp is in the works. He will play in both Nike and Reebok's underclassmen camps in June.

"I think he's going to explode this summer," Ivany said. "There are no offers yet but he's going to get there once people really see him. Surprisingly, it hasn't been a big mass of calls. I know after the summer there will be. With him, it's about the heart and the durability. I think he's further along than most people think.

"The part he has improved on is his strength. If you saw him last year, he was so skinny you could blow him over with a piece of paper. He is getting stronger and he still needs to do so because he'll be a college power forward. If he can get his face up game down, then he'll be a harder player to defend. It will all come together."