Recruiting news: Jeffers coming to UIC

HUGE COUP FOR THE FLAMES

(8/29/04)

Whoosh! learned from a reliable source late last week that former Hubbard star Othyus Jeffers has transferred to UIC from a junior college.

Dan Laffee, from the Prep Report, told Whoosh! that Jeffers has enrolled at UIC this fall. Jeffers’ high school coach Calvin Holiday confirmed it Saturday.

Jeffers played last season at Los Angeles Southwest Community College and was a dominant force in the South Coast Conference as a freshman.

The 6-foot-5, 210-pound swingman will sit out this season due to NCAA transfer rules and will be have three years of eligibility when he joins the Flames in 2005-06.

The athletic Jeffers averaged a 22.3 points per game – second in the conference (with a season-high of 36 points) – and lead the league with just under 11 rebounds per contest. He also had averages of 2.5 assists, 0.9 blocks and 3.3 steals per game. He shot 66 percent from the field in conference play, ranking No. 1 in that category.

“He’s really rebounding well,” Holiday said. “He’s developed a jump shot, and he’s gotten a lot stronger. Honest to God, I think he’ll be picked in the [NBA] draft at some point, because he’s improved that much. And he’s a phenomenal person.”

Jeffers was recruited hard by coach Jimmy Collins and his staff two years ago. He also entertained offers from Syracuse, Miami (Fla.), Oklahoma State, Loyola and Utah before opting for junior college.

“He used to go down to UIC and work out,” Holiday said. “We’ve known Jimmy Collins for a long time. I was somewhat against him staying close to home, but he’s now living at the dorm and is close to his teammates.

“I know [the staff] stay on top of him as far as his grades go. I told ‘O’ that he’d better get his degree, because you never know what kind of basketball career you might have.”

Jeffers led Hubbard to the IHSA Sweet 16 in 2003. He was named Second-Team All-State by the Chicago Tribune and was named All-Area by the Chicago Sun-Times. He averaged 25.5 points, 13.9 rebounds, six assists, 3.9 steals and 2.5 blocks per game as a senior, guiding the Greyhounds to a 23-8 record. He finished ninth in the 2003 Mr. Basketball of Illinois voting.

He had 13 points and 16 rebounds in leading the Greyhounds past Michigan State’s Shannon Brown and Proviso East 60-56 in the sectional finals.

Jeffers is also the first cousin of former Flames and Westinghouse superstar Mark Miller.

A LITTLE MAYO: The Flames also received an oral commitment from Merrillville (Ind.) guard Josh Mayo, who is just entering his senior year.

Despite missing some time due to a broken toe, the 5-foot-10 Mayo was named Second Team All-Area by the Times of Northwest Indiana. He averaged 16.2 points, 3.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game and shot 88 percent from the free-throw line as a junior.

He is a point guard with a solid spot-up jump shot and can also beat defenders to the basket off the dribble. He was also named to the All-State Team for underclassmen by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.

He made an impact as a sophomore, despite missing some time with a broken finger, averaging 13.8 points and 2.5 assists. He had a 33-point in a regional playoff game against South Bend Riley.

The Flames don’t sound like they are finished as they are also said to be in the running for Downers Grove South point guard Bryan Mullins, who is also being recruited by Wisconsin-Milwaukee.