Several sites and reports are indicating that Duke is going hard after 2012 power forward Amile Jefferson. We mentioned it just last week that the Blue Devils were beginning to get back into the mix with Jefferson based on reports at that time. Well now it seems as if Mike Krzyzewski is ready to make a full out push to try and get the services of Jefferson a 6 foot 8 inch kid from Friend Central, PA.
The Blue Devils had flirted with the idea in the past but only recently got back into the mix quickly leading many to believe that other top prospect targets such as Tony Parker and Ricardo Gathers are becoming less likely to sign with Duke.
The Blue Devils are expected to lose Mason and Miles Plumlee after this season and that will leave a big gap in the middle. Granted, Jefferson doesn't have the same kind of size that the Plumlees have, his athleticism and length could be an asset.
And with Marshall Plumlee and Alex Murphy likely coming off redshirt seasons this year, the addition of a player like Jefferson helps Duke's would-be-thin front court.
But can Duke come in late and steal him away from someone else? Also will the late full-court press work. Krzyzewski after all appeared to pull out all the stops to get Tony Parker and that seems to have fallen short.
There are a couple indications though that Duke still has a good chance.
NBE Basketball Report reported yesterday that Krzyzewski was in attendance at one of Jefferson's recent games. Jefferson told them that the Blue Devils coaching staff had contacted he and his father. He also indicated that Duke had been interested in him back in his sophomore season in high school as well.
Dave Telep, senior national basketball analyst for ESPN, reported yesterday that Duke was closing the gap on Jefferson in a hurry.
Duke is in the running with Ohio State, Villanova, NC State, Kentucky and UConn, according to Jefferson's father. He also told Telep that he thought Jefferson wanted to look at Duke for "obvious reasons."
“It’s a great basketball program and great academic school. He definitely wants to look at them," Malcolm Musgrove told Telep.
The pressure though is beginning to mount as the late signing period approaches in the spring. Jefferson has said as much.
“A little bit, but not really,” Jefferson told NBE Basketball Report when asked if the pressure was mounting. “I got to worry about the season; I got a lot on my mind.”
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @DukeSportsMKline and visit our Facebook page- Duke Sports Blog. Questions e-mail us at dukesportsblogmkline@gmail.com
