Jefferson, profiled in SI, chooses Cats, The Arizona Daily Star, September 23, 1997, Author: Javier Morales
Calling his decision ``a relief,'' Phoenix Moon Valley High School forward Richard Jefferson verbally committed to Arizona yesterday.
Jefferson became burdened recently with his choice between Arizona (his favorite all along) and Utah (which has his favorite coach, Rick Majerus).
``I went to Arizona (on an official visit this weekend) just to make sure everything is right,'' said Jefferson, who all along has listed the UA as his favorite. ``I like everything about the school and the program.''
Jefferson is the highest-rated player to commit to Arizona this recruiting season. Sports Illustrated profiled him in July.
Recruiting guru Frank Burlison of the Long Beach Press-Telegram rated Jefferson, a 6-foot-7-inch wing forward, the 16th-best prospect at the Nike Camp in Indianapolis. Bob Gibbons ranked Jefferson the 10th-best senior at that camp, the most prestigious gathering of talent during the summer.
Ultimate Hoops, a recruiting service based in Los Angeles, rates Jefferson the 11th-best forward in the country.
``He is a player who came from nowhere, at least on the national scope,'' said Jeff Siegel, a former Los Angeles Times reporter who compiles information for Ultimate Hoops. ``Jefferson is a tremendous athlete who needs serious work from the perimeter but does everything else extremely well.
``He is highly intelligent and a superb student. He would be an asset to any program he's associated with. And there's plenty of upside to his game.''
Jefferson was hosted mostly by Mike Bibby and Josh Pastner during his weekend visit, but he is also a good friend of Miles Simon's. The camaraderie of the Wildcats was the biggest selling point to Jefferson.
But an outsider was partly responsible - Moon Valley senior guard Eric Larson, Jefferson's best friend.
``He's going to school at Arizona (not to play basketball) next year,'' Jefferson said. ``He's always kept me in line. He's told me: `You have to go to the UA. You have to go to the UA.'
``He kind of had an influence.''
During the visit over the weekend, Jefferson befriended San Diego University High School forward Luke Walton, who verbally committed to Arizona on Sunday. Walton is the son of basketball legend Bill Walton. Traves Wilson, a guard from Moline, Ill., also has committed.
``Luke and I hung out during the trip,'' Jefferson said. ``We talked about playing together. He's a great guy.''
Two other factors helped Jefferson pick Arizona over Utah: location and the UA's African-American studies program.
``A lot of people who've watched me grow up can still see me play (at Arizona),'' Jefferson said. ``It's not far away for them to see me. I'll still be close to my family and friends.
``Utah has cold weather, and it's not as ethnically diverse.''
But if the decision was solely based on being coached by Majerus, Jefferson said he would have become a Ute.
``He's an unbelievable coach. He's the person I wanted to play for the most,'' Jefferson said. ``If he had gone to ASU, it would have been a tremendous opportunity to stay, but I don't want to dwell on that.''
Two more scholarships remain to be filled, including one occupied by Bibby, a sophomore who more than likely will turn pro after the season.
``Mike said he wants to go,'' Jefferson said. ``He would've left after last year, but he wanted to come back this year to make sure he was a top-five pick (in the NBA draft).''
Don Leventhal, who compiles a draft list for ESPN, projects that Bibby will be selected fifth next year.