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Jeffers departs UIC HUGE VOID NEEDS TO BE FILLED (7/11/07)
“I found out for sure about two weeks ago,” Collins said via telephone. “It was very sad to see him go. But we, as a program, have to make adjustments.” The 6-foot-5 Jeffers was reportedly headed for NAIA powerhouse Robert Morris in Chicago, according to a blurb from www.windycitybasketball.com. However, Collins believed that Jeffers was seeking an opportunity to play professionally overseas. “Based on our conversations, I thought he was going overseas,” Collins said. “It was my contention that he was going to help his family out. His family was really struggling and needed financial support.” Jeffers was First-Team All-Horizon League as a junior after averaging 15.5 points and 8.6 rebounds. As a sophomore, he was the first player in UIC history to win a Newcomer of the Year award. Regardless of Jeffers’ destination, the Flames lose their best player from the past two seasons, and he will be difficult to replace. Senior Robert Bush is the top candidate to replace Jeffers at the starting small forward spot. Bush started the second half of the season at the shooting guard position. Junior Billy Baptist, freshman Tori Boyd and sophomore Jeremy Buttell are also prime candidates to start at the forward spots. Jeffers’ departure does bring good news in that it opens up another scholarship immediately. “We’re always looking [for recruits],” Collins said. “Hopefully we can find someone that can help our program stay on track.”
Lesko played for two seasons at UIC, appearing in 24 games. He scored a career-best 10 points against Indiana on Dec. 7, 2002. Lesko spent last season with Kosice TU in Slovakia and averaged 18.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per contest, while shooting 44 percent from the field and 41 percent from three-point range. OTHER OLD FLAMES: Justin Bowen, who spent the majority of last season with Austin of the NBA Development League, is hoping to land a spot on a summer league team. His agent Justin K. Haynes said via e-mail: “We are working to have Justin in a Summer League again this year and are fielding offers for him daily overseas.” Bowen played in 44 games for the Toros averaging 9.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. He averaged 18.3 points and 8.0 rebounds during the final month of the season (six games). … Cedrick Banks helped Nancy to a regular-season championship in French Pro-A after averaging 11.9 points and 2.4 assists last season. Banks’ agent, Mike Naiditch said that Banks is “considering opportunities in Turkey, France and Spain.” … Jovan Stefanov is now also client of Naiditch and had five workouts with NBA teams during June, including Minnesota, Charlotte, Detroit, Utah and Milwaukee. In Milwaukee, Stefanov worked out with Julian Wright, giving the Kansas star and Hornets draftee all he could handle. Naiditch said that Stefanov “could return to Serbia, but he also has some interest coming from France and Germany.” |
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