UA All-America Camp: Jefferson sees opportunity

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - One of the most productive players in the Under Armour Association this spring was class of 2016 small forward Damien Jefferson.

The 6-foot-5 native of East Chicago, Ind., plays with the SYF Players and is looking forward to the challenge of playing in front of college coaches during the July live evaluation period. Playing in high-profile events such as the Under Armour All-America Camp Powered by Rivals.com in Charlotte and the Under Armour Association Finals in Atlanta, Jefferson is hoping to gain some new interest from college coaches.

"[I want to] win games, come out here and give them a show and have fun," Jefferson said. "But the main thing is to win games. I've been looking forward to this since we first started playing. Getting qualified for Atlanta and winning games so we can move on [is a big focus]."

Jefferson showed that he's a capable scorer and rebounder this spring by averaging 17.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game with the SYF Players, but he's working on improving his skill level before the July live period. Jefferson is focusing on ball-handling and showing coaches that he's a better perimeter shooter than his 28-percent 3-point showing in the spring.

"My shooting, I've been working hard in the offseason since we took a break from AAU," Jefferson said. "I've been in the gym every day just working on my jump shot."

In terms of his current recruiting interest, Jefferson claims scholarship offers from Ball State, DePaul, Loyola, New Mexico and UIC while also getting interest from Indiana, Michigan, Ole Miss and Xavier.

The Lobos are currently putting the most heat on Jefferson as they're trying to play the legacy card during the recruiting process. Everette Jefferson, Damien's father, played for two years at New Mexico before being drafted in the sixth round by the Houston Rockets in 1980. An official visit to get Damien on campus is already in the works and he hopes to see what campus is like.

"I have an official visit to New Mexico coming up. I don't know the date," Jefferson said. "I'm just learning about the whole program. My dad went there for college two years then he got drafted to the NBA. So I know a little bit about it; he tells me about it. But I don't know that much, so I want to go down there and learn about it."

Although New Mexico has been strong in the recruiting process early on, two other schools are pursuing Jefferson the hardest.

"I gotta say besides New Mexico is Ball State and DePaul," Jefferson said.

Ball State is trying to keep the Indiana native in-state and the staff has kept in contact with him on a nearly daily basis. DePaul and the staff under new head coach Dave Leitao has also been checking in on Jefferson this summer.

Jefferson isn't rushing a decision and he plans on turning to the people closest to him to help with his college decision.

"I'm mostly just talking through it with my parents and my cousin, Marcus. And a couple of my AAU coaches that have known me since I was a kid. They know what's best for me," Jefferson said.