Amile Jefferson shines late in McDonald's game
By Jack McCarthy
FOR THE INQUIRER
CHICAGO - Amile Jefferson didn't get a chance to show his skills to his various college suitors until late on Wednesday.
But with 3 minutes, 42 seconds left in the 2012 McDonald's All-American boys' basketball game, the two-time Gatorade Pennsylvania player of the year finally got his opening.
Jefferson hauled in a long feed on a fastbreak and delivered a two-handed jam to the delight of the United Center crowd.
Two minutes later, he had another.
The 6-foot-8 forward from Friends' Central played 14 minutes for an East team that fell, 106-102, to the West in an entertaining game that turned from a 25-point blowout into a late thriller.
Jefferson finished with eight points, three rebounds, two steals, and an assist in the second game of an all-star doubleheader in front of around 17,000 fans.
He averaged 19.9 points and 10.2 rebounds for the Phoenix this past season and is still weighing Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina State, Villanova, and Ohio State as possible college destinations.