Rebels get another top basketball recruit

Steve Guiremand

Monday, Sept. 13, 2004 | 10:14 a.m.

First-year UNLV head basketball coach Lon Kruger continues to pick up steam toward a potential top-10 national recruiting class.

The Rebels obtained a non-binding verbal commitment from their third top 100 prep recruit Sunday when 6-foot-7 forward Jerry-Davon Jefferson of Lynwood, Calif., High School told Kruger that he would sign with UNLV during the early November signing period.

"I liked the atmosphere and I got along with everybody there really well," Jefferson, regarded by some scouts as the top senior prep prospect in California this year, said. "(Assistant coach Marvin) Menzies has been recruiting me since my sophomore year and I got along with the players and coaches really well."

Jefferson said he was also recruited by Washington, Arizona, Kansas and Connecticut. He committed Sunday after an official recruiting trip that was hosted by Rebels guard John Winston.

Talent scout Bob Gibbons of Lenoir, N.C., and Hoopmasters.com rated Jefferson one of the top 12 players at June's NBA Players Association Top 100 Camp in Richmond, Va. Hoopmasters.com ranks Jefferson the nation's 22nd best prospect.

"He's a good athlete with good instincts, is quick, and is a good offensive rebounder," said respected high school basketball evaluator Frank Burlison of the Long Beach Press-Telegram. "He's definitely one of the top 25 talents in the country."

Jefferson averaged 24.3 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 blocks per game as a junior for "The Wood." He was a first-team all-CIF pick after leading Lynwood to the CIF 1-AA semifinals where it lost to eventual champ Long Beach Poly.

Jefferson, who has yet to meet minimum NCAA freshman eligibility guidelines, joins a Rebels recruiting class that also includes 6-foot-1 point guard Jo'Van Adams of Houston Gulf Shores Academy, 6-foot-7 wing forward Joe Darger of Riverton, Utah, and 6-foot-8 center/forward Gaston Essengue of Compton (Calif.) Community College.