Thursday, April 21, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Rebels' highest-rated recruit lost to grades

Forward Jefferson will attend prep school

By STEVE CARP
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Davon Jefferson, considered the highest-rated of UNLV's basketball signees for its 2005 class, will not play for the Rebels next season.

Coach Lon Kruger confirmed Wednesday that Jefferson, a 6-foot-8-inch senior forward from Lynwood (Calif.) High School near Los Angeles, will not qualify academically and will head to prep school.

"He's indicated he's going in a different direction," Kruger said of Jefferson, who averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds his senior year. "He's going back into the recruiting pool."

Jefferson, who signed with UNLV in November, played in last weekend's Pump N Run Spring Tournament with the Southern California-based H Squad. The tournament was designed for juniors and underclassmen, along with unsigned seniors. But as a signed senior, Jefferson played anyway, an indication he might not qualify academically.

Jefferson told Kruger on Wednesday of his intention to play in this weekend's VisionSports Houston Kingwood Classic. At that point, Kruger realized he had lost a recruit.

"We knew going in it would be a tough task," Kruger said of Jefferson getting academically eligible. "We're disappointed for Davon, but we'll support him any way we can."

Jefferson could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Rick Isaacs, Jefferson's coach at H Squad, said: "Davon felt he needed a year to mature, and I think there's a hell of a chance he goes back to UNLV. Coach Kruger has been tremendous, and Davon respects him and coach (Marvin) Menzies."

Isaacs said Jefferson probably will attend South Kent School in Connecticut or Mt. Zion Academy in North Carolina next season.

Several recruiting services listed Jefferson as the top forward in Southern California, and he was selected to play in the Roundball Classic All-Star Game last month in Chicago.

His departure leaves UNLV with an additional scholarship. But Kruger said he didn't plan to sign someone in the next two weeks. The Rebels have signed six players for next year.