Jefferson to announce college choice Tuesday

Friends' Central standout Amile Jefferson is, finally, set to announce where he will play his college basketball.

The 6-foot-8, 200-pound senior will make a commitment at 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Wynnewood school. Wednesday marks the end of the spring signing period.

"The process has been long and tough, for sure," Jefferson said. "But it's time for me to make a decision. I have to do it."

While North Carolina State and Duke are believed to be the finalists for his services, the two-time Inquirer Southeastern Pennsylvania player of the year said Kentucky, Ohio State, and Villanova are still in the mix.

"I'm still looking at all the schools on my list," he said.

ESPN ranks Jefferson, who lives in University City, as the 25th-best college prospect in the Class of 2012. Scout.com has him No. 22 in its rankings.

Duke was a late entry in the race to land him. Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski and assistant Chris Collins, son of 76ers coach Doug Collins, saw him play for the Phoenix in early January.

"I definitely had to take a look at Duke," Jefferson said. "The school offers a lot in terms of athletics and academics."

How important is it to Jefferson to receive immediate playing time at the school of his choice?

"That's one thing, but there are many other factors involved," he said. "I want to be comfortable with the coaches, the players, the academic situation."

Last season, while helping lead Friends' Central to a 22-5 record, Jefferson, who in March participated in the 35th annual McDonald's All-American Game, averaged 19.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks.

For his career, the 18-year-old, producing around the basket and in transition, totaled 1,569 points, 839 rebounds, and 189 blocks.

"I'm ready for a great weight to be lifted off me," Jefferson said. "I'm excited about putting this decision behind me, getting ready for my freshman year in college, and helping my team do well."

His top adviser during recruiting has been his father, Malcolm Musgrove, who played hoops at West Philadelphia High in the late 1980s and went on to Delaware State.

"He's been great through this whole thing," Jefferson said. "But I know he's anxious for me to make a decision. Like a lot of other people, he's been waiting on this."

Showcase event. The 18th annual All-City Classic, featuring many of the area's top underclassmen, is set for May 30 at Community College of Philadelphia.

Three games, beginning with the freshman contest at 5:15 p.m., will be played. The middle game, to start around 6:45 p.m. and for sophomores, is expected to include Neumann-Goretti guard Ja'Quan Newton and Roman Catholic guard Shep Garner.

The nightcap, around 8 p.m. for current juniors, likely will feature Chester swingman Rondae Jefferson, Vaux guard Rysheed Jordan, and Neumann-Goretti forward John Davis.

Organizer Charles Monroe, an assistant coach at Haverford School, said the event "is designed to get the top guys in our area some exposure."

Monroe said former Episcopal Academy standout Wayne Ellington, a shooting guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves, will sponsor the event.

Brown interested. Rob Moore, coach of PIAA Class A champion Constitution, said new Southern Methodist coach Larry Brown has expressed interest in Savon Goodman, a 6-5 senior forward. Also recruiting the first-team all-area pick are Pittsburgh, Seton Hall, Temple, UNLV, and USC.

For Daiquan Walker, a 6-2 senior guard and second-team all-area choice, Moore has sent academic transcripts to Central Florida, Niagara, and Tulsa.