Al Jefferson
Encyclopedia
Al Ricardo Jefferson is an American professional basketball
player for the Utah Jazz
of the NBA
.
But it was in his junior season where he became one of the elite players in the country, drawing the attention of both college coaches around the country, and the scouts of the NBA.
Jefferson attended Prentiss High School
in Prentiss, Mississippi
from 2000–2004. In his senior year for the Bulldogs he averaged 42.6 points, 18 rebounds, and 7 blocks per game. He had earned a scholarship to attend the University of Arkansas
to play with the Arkansas Razorbacks
but opted out to enter the 2004 NBA Draft
.
in the 2004 NBA Draft
, becoming the first high school player to be drafted by the Celtics (Kendrick Perkins
was drafted by the Grizzlies
, then traded to Boston on draft day in the 2003 NBA Draft
). He played primarily as a power forward and averaged 6.7 points and 4.4 rebounds in 14.8 minutes per game during his rookie season.
Jefferson's 2005–2006 season was widely considered a disappointment, mostly due to a series of ankle injuries and a torn meniscus in his right knee which limited him to playing in 59 games.
He averaged 7.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in 18.0 minutes per game during his sophomore season.
In the off-season prior to the 2006–2007 season, Jefferson hired a personal chef and lost about 30 pounds.
After experiencing lingering pain after participating in the Las Vegas Summer League, a CAT scan revealed bone spurs.
On August 2, 2006, he underwent ankle surgery to remove these bone spurs.
On November 8, 2006 prior to the fourth game of the season, Al Jefferson had appendectomy surgery
at New England Baptist Hospital. The surgery was performed by Dr. Steven Camer and Dr. Farhat Homsy and assisted by Celtics Team Physician Dr. Brian McKeon.
He missed seven games and returned to the lineup on November 23, 2006.
. With backup centers Michael Olowokandi
and Theo Ratliff
already on the injured list, Celtics' coach Doc Rivers
started Al Jefferson at center on December 6, 2006 against the Memphis Grizzlies
.
Over the next seven games, Jefferson averaged 16.3 points and 11.1 rebounds in 33.7 minutes per game. In what some considered a breakout performance against the New Jersey Nets
on December 9, 2006, he scored a career-high 29 points and grabbed 14 rebounds which tied a career-high (set on May 5, 2005 in a playoff game against the Indiana Pacers
). It was the second time he had scored more than 20 points in a game. The previous occasion was on December 10, 2005 against the Dallas Mavericks
where he scored 21 points. His third and fourth 20-point game came six and seven days after the second, on December 15 and December 16, 2006, when he scored 28 against the Denver Nuggets
and 22 against the Charlotte Bobcats
. These efforts punctuated a five-game win streak by the Boston Celtics
.
On March 3, 2007, Jefferson scored a career-high 32 points to go along with 18 rebounds against the New Jersey Nets
, against whom he had previously set his career high in points against earlier in the season. On March 5, Jefferson was named the NBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the week starting February 26 through March 4.
, Ryan Gomes
, Theo Ratliff
, Sebastian Telfair
, and draft picks, to the Minnesota Timberwolves
for Kevin Garnett
.
After landing in Minnesota, Jefferson quickly signed a large contract extension before the season. At $65 million over five years, it was satisfactory but he could have gotten a max deal. Instead he chose not to pursue one, due to "having not really proved myself".
In his first season with the Timberwolves, Jefferson immediately became the team's scoring leader. Playing in all 82 games, he ranked 20th in the NBA in points per game (11th in total points), averaging 21.0 points per game while shooting .500 from the field. Jefferson also defined himself as one of the premier big men in the NBA by being only one of four players to average 20 points and 10 rebounds (the others being Dwight Howard
, Carlos Boozer
, and Antawn Jamison
). Jefferson ranked 5th in the NBA in rebounding, averaging 11.1 (4th in total rebounds) and 2nd in offensive rebounds per game (3.8), only behind Tyson Chandler (4.1). Jefferson is ranked 12th in the NBA efficiency and is 3rd in the NBA in double-doubles.
In January 2008 Jefferson won Western Conference Player of the Week honors after averaging 33.3 points and 15.3 rebounds and leading the Timberwolves to a 3–1 record from January 21 to 27.
Jefferson posted his career-high of 40 points against the New Jersey Nets
on January 27, 2008 and repeated such a performance against the Charlotte Bobcats
on April 8, 2008.
. The record has since been surpassed by Kevin Love
.
for two future first round picks and center Kosta Koufos
.
| style="text-align:left;"|
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 71 || 1 || 14.8 || .528 || .000 || .630 || 4.4 || .3 || .3 || .8 || 6.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 59 || 7 || 18.0 || .499 || .000 || .642 || 5.1 || .5 || .5 || .8 || 7.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 69 || 60 || 33.6 || .514 || .000 || .681 || 11.0 || 1.3 || .7 || 1.5 || 16.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|
| style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota
| 82 || 82 || 35.6 || .500 || .000 || .721 || 11.1 || 1.4 || .9 || 1.5 || 21.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|
| style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota
| 50 || 50 || 36.7 || .497 || .000 || .738 || 11.0 || 1.6 || .8 || 1.7 || 23.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|
| style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota
| 76 || 76 || 32.4 || .498 || .000 || .680 || 9.3 || 1.8 || .8 || 1.3 || 17.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|
| style="text-align:left;"| Utah
| 82 || 82 || 35.9 || .496 || .000 || .761 || 9.7 || 1.8 || .6 || 1.9 || 18.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| Career
| style="text-align:left;"|
| 489 || 358 || 29.8 || .502 || .000 || .704 || 8.8 || 1.3 || .7 || 1.4 || 15.9
| style="text-align:left;"| 2004–05
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 7 || 0 || 19.4 || .415 || .000 || .750 || 6.4 || .3 || .6 || 1.1 || 6.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| Career
| style="text-align:left;"|
| 7 || 0 || 19.4 || .415 || .000 || .750 || 6.4 || .3 || .6 || 1.1 || 6.1
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player for the Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
of the NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
.
Early life
Born on January 4, 1985 in Monticello, Mississippi, Al spent his childhood in the small nearby town of Prentiss, complete with a population of just 1,500. The Jefferson family was a staple of the Progress community, a close-knit, predominantly black section of Prentiss. While his mother Laura worked as an assistant teacher in Prentiss Elementary School, Al's father was killed in a work-related accident when he was very young, leaving him without the guidance and discipline a father figure provides. He had a strong support system around him – his grandmother, Gladys Jefferson, lived on the same property as Al and his mother, and several other family members lived in the nearby town of Progress. But not having a father in his life allowed Al to find his way into trouble as a boy. As Al entered his teen years, though, an incredible growth spurt saw him sprout into a 6'4” eighth-grader, and saw him discover what would become his first love; basketball. Dr. Jefferson himself had been a stand-out player, earning a scholarship in the early 1970s to play for the University of Southern Mississippi. He helped Al to learn the game, and the youngster's enthusiasm for the sport, along with his incredible size, became impossible to ignore.High school career
Al started as a freshman for Prentiss's varsity squad, and it was evident he possessed superior athletic ability in addition to his now 6'8” frame.But it was in his junior season where he became one of the elite players in the country, drawing the attention of both college coaches around the country, and the scouts of the NBA.
Jefferson attended Prentiss High School
Prentiss High School
Prentiss High School is a high school located in Prentiss, Mississippi. The team is known as the Bulldogs and the team plays in the Mississippi Southeastern Conference. It is a part of the Jefferson Davis County School District.-Alumni:...
in Prentiss, Mississippi
Prentiss, Mississippi
Prentiss is a town in Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 1,158 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Jefferson Davis County...
from 2000–2004. In his senior year for the Bulldogs he averaged 42.6 points, 18 rebounds, and 7 blocks per game. He had earned a scholarship to attend the University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in...
to play with the Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball
The Arkansas Razorbacks basketball team represents the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas in NCAA Division I men's basketball competition. The school's team currently competes in the Southeastern Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2008...
but opted out to enter the 2004 NBA Draft
2004 NBA Draft
The 2004 NBA Draft was held on June 24, 2004 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York and was broadcast live on ESPN at 7:00 pm . In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible...
.
Boston Celtics
Al Jefferson was drafted with the 15th pick by the Boston CelticsBoston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
in the 2004 NBA Draft
2004 NBA Draft
The 2004 NBA Draft was held on June 24, 2004 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York and was broadcast live on ESPN at 7:00 pm . In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible...
, becoming the first high school player to be drafted by the Celtics (Kendrick Perkins
Kendrick Perkins
Kendrick Perkins is an American professional basketball player who plays as a center for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA....
was drafted by the Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
, then traded to Boston on draft day in the 2003 NBA Draft
2003 NBA Draft
The 2003 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2003 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and...
). He played primarily as a power forward and averaged 6.7 points and 4.4 rebounds in 14.8 minutes per game during his rookie season.
Jefferson's 2005–2006 season was widely considered a disappointment, mostly due to a series of ankle injuries and a torn meniscus in his right knee which limited him to playing in 59 games.
He averaged 7.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in 18.0 minutes per game during his sophomore season.
In the off-season prior to the 2006–2007 season, Jefferson hired a personal chef and lost about 30 pounds.
After experiencing lingering pain after participating in the Las Vegas Summer League, a CAT scan revealed bone spurs.
On August 2, 2006, he underwent ankle surgery to remove these bone spurs.
On November 8, 2006 prior to the fourth game of the season, Al Jefferson had appendectomy surgery
at New England Baptist Hospital. The surgery was performed by Dr. Steven Camer and Dr. Farhat Homsy and assisted by Celtics Team Physician Dr. Brian McKeon.
He missed seven games and returned to the lineup on November 23, 2006.
2006–07
While already playing increased minutes (9.3 points and 7.0 rebounds in 22.0 minutes per game over nine games as a reserve), his role expanded due to an injury to starting center Kendrick PerkinsKendrick Perkins
Kendrick Perkins is an American professional basketball player who plays as a center for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA....
. With backup centers Michael Olowokandi
Michael Olowokandi
Michael Olowokandi is a retired Nigerian British professional basketball center who played in the American National Basketball Association from 1998 to 2007....
and Theo Ratliff
Theo Ratliff
Theophilus Curtis Ratliff , better known as Theo Ratliff, is an American professional basketball player who last played with the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers. Primarily a center, he was an excellent shot-blocker who has led the league three times in blocks per game...
already on the injured list, Celtics' coach Doc Rivers
Doc Rivers
Glenn Anton "Doc" Rivers is a former professional basketball player and the current head coach of the NBA's Boston Celtics. Rivers was known for his defense while playing in the NBA...
started Al Jefferson at center on December 6, 2006 against the Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
.
Over the next seven games, Jefferson averaged 16.3 points and 11.1 rebounds in 33.7 minutes per game. In what some considered a breakout performance against the New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
on December 9, 2006, he scored a career-high 29 points and grabbed 14 rebounds which tied a career-high (set on May 5, 2005 in a playoff game against the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
). It was the second time he had scored more than 20 points in a game. The previous occasion was on December 10, 2005 against the Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
where he scored 21 points. His third and fourth 20-point game came six and seven days after the second, on December 15 and December 16, 2006, when he scored 28 against the Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
and 22 against the Charlotte Bobcats
Charlotte Bobcats
The Charlotte Bobcats is a professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association. The Bobcats were established in 2004 as an expansion team, two seasons after Charlotte's previous NBA...
. These efforts punctuated a five-game win streak by the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
.
On March 3, 2007, Jefferson scored a career-high 32 points to go along with 18 rebounds against the New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, against whom he had previously set his career high in points against earlier in the season. On March 5, Jefferson was named the NBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the week starting February 26 through March 4.
Minnesota Timberwolves
On July 31, 2007 it was made official that Jefferson was to be traded along with Gerald GreenGerald Green
Gerald Green, Jr. is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Foshan Dralions of the CBA. He was selected by the National Basketball Association's Boston Celtics with the 18th pick of the first round in the 2005 NBA Draft...
, Ryan Gomes
Ryan Gomes
Ryan Anthony Gomes is an American professional basketball forward with the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association....
, Theo Ratliff
Theo Ratliff
Theophilus Curtis Ratliff , better known as Theo Ratliff, is an American professional basketball player who last played with the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers. Primarily a center, he was an excellent shot-blocker who has led the league three times in blocks per game...
, Sebastian Telfair
Sebastian Telfair
Sebastian Telfair is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Telfair was the 13th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers out of Abraham Lincoln High School...
, and draft picks, to the Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Founded in 1989, the team is currently owned by Glen Taylor...
for Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett
Kevin Maurice Garnett is an American professional basketball player who currently plays power forward for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association . After a high school basketball career at Farragut Career Academy which included winning a national player of the year award, he...
.
After landing in Minnesota, Jefferson quickly signed a large contract extension before the season. At $65 million over five years, it was satisfactory but he could have gotten a max deal. Instead he chose not to pursue one, due to "having not really proved myself".
In his first season with the Timberwolves, Jefferson immediately became the team's scoring leader. Playing in all 82 games, he ranked 20th in the NBA in points per game (11th in total points), averaging 21.0 points per game while shooting .500 from the field. Jefferson also defined himself as one of the premier big men in the NBA by being only one of four players to average 20 points and 10 rebounds (the others being Dwight Howard
Dwight Howard
Dwight David Howard is an American basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association . Howard, who usually plays center but can also play power forward, had an outstanding high school career at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy...
, Carlos Boozer
Carlos Boozer
Carlos Austin Boozer, Jr. is an American professional basketball player with the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association...
, and Antawn Jamison
Antawn Jamison
Antawn Cortez Jamison is an American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association . He currently plays power forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers and was a member of the USA National Team for the 2006 FIBA World Championships...
). Jefferson ranked 5th in the NBA in rebounding, averaging 11.1 (4th in total rebounds) and 2nd in offensive rebounds per game (3.8), only behind Tyson Chandler (4.1). Jefferson is ranked 12th in the NBA efficiency and is 3rd in the NBA in double-doubles.
In January 2008 Jefferson won Western Conference Player of the Week honors after averaging 33.3 points and 15.3 rebounds and leading the Timberwolves to a 3–1 record from January 21 to 27.
Jefferson posted his career-high of 40 points against the New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
on January 27, 2008 and repeated such a performance against the Charlotte Bobcats
Charlotte Bobcats
The Charlotte Bobcats is a professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association. The Bobcats were established in 2004 as an expansion team, two seasons after Charlotte's previous NBA...
on April 8, 2008.
2008–09
Jefferson was having a career best year, averaging 23.1 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game in the first 50 games of the season, until suffering a serious right knee injury after landing awkwardly on one leg in a game at New Orleans. Jefferson claimed that he felt a pop in his knee and the injury resulted in a complete tear to the ACL which required reconstructive surgery that ended his season. At the time the Wolves were 17–33 and showing signs of improvement, but with Jefferson out, they went 7-25 over their remaining games, and were a lottery team once again.2009-10
On January 13, 2010, Jefferson set a single-game franchise record with 26 rebounds in a triple overtime loss against the Houston RocketsHouston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
. The record has since been surpassed by Kevin Love
Kevin Love
Kevin Love, born in Des Moines, Iowa, is a former NASCAR driver. He ran five races in the 2004 Craftsman Truck Series season, all for Fiddleback Racing....
.
Utah Jazz
On July 13th 2010, Jefferson was traded to the Utah JazzUtah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
for two future first round picks and center Kosta Koufos
Kosta Koufos
Konstantine Demetrios "Kosta" Koufos is a Greek-American professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets. He was selected by the Utah Jazz with the 23rd overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft...
.
Regular season
|-| style="text-align:left;"|
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
| 71 || 1 || 14.8 || .528 || .000 || .630 || 4.4 || .3 || .3 || .8 || 6.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 59 || 7 || 18.0 || .499 || .000 || .642 || 5.1 || .5 || .5 || .8 || 7.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 69 || 60 || 33.6 || .514 || .000 || .681 || 11.0 || 1.3 || .7 || 1.5 || 16.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|
| style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Founded in 1989, the team is currently owned by Glen Taylor...
| 82 || 82 || 35.6 || .500 || .000 || .721 || 11.1 || 1.4 || .9 || 1.5 || 21.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|
| style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota
| 50 || 50 || 36.7 || .497 || .000 || .738 || 11.0 || 1.6 || .8 || 1.7 || 23.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|
| style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota
| 76 || 76 || 32.4 || .498 || .000 || .680 || 9.3 || 1.8 || .8 || 1.3 || 17.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|
| style="text-align:left;"| Utah
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
| 82 || 82 || 35.9 || .496 || .000 || .761 || 9.7 || 1.8 || .6 || 1.9 || 18.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| Career
| style="text-align:left;"|
| 489 || 358 || 29.8 || .502 || .000 || .704 || 8.8 || 1.3 || .7 || 1.4 || 15.9
Playoffs
|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2004–05
2005 NBA Playoffs
The 2005 NBA Playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2004–05 season.The San Antonio Spurs, the number two ranked team in the Western Conference, won the 2005 NBA Playoffs by defeating the defending champions, the Detroit Pistons, 4-3 in the NBA Finals...
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
| 7 || 0 || 19.4 || .415 || .000 || .750 || 6.4 || .3 || .6 || 1.1 || 6.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| Career
| style="text-align:left;"|
| 7 || 0 || 19.4 || .415 || .000 || .750 || 6.4 || .3 || .6 || 1.1 || 6.1