Jeffers has one of the higher ceilings in this class long term, but the potential is quickly turning into production and now standing close to 6’10” college coaches are jumping on board. There were a few who had the vision early, but now George Washington and UAB are in the running after Jeffers put together a few explosive outings in the two weekend of DMV Live. His promise as a rim presence is clear, but its the smaller aspect of his development over the last six months that has put him into another tier. With sustained production this month, you could see some more offers come his way.

Jeffers made a three-spot rise from 10 to seven and if we had to project this class in a 4-to-5 year lens, he could have a real argument to be in the top five. There’s no denying his growth, both in his game and sprouting up to 6’10” over the last year. The player that college programs saw last June at DMV Live was NOT the player they saw this time around and it showed with his best performance as he went for 25PTS and 16REBS in a win over PVI. Jeffers’ awareness around the rim continues to improve as a play finisher and rim protector. His overall movement and motor are improving at a promising rate and especially in the month of June, he showed some comfort stepping away from the cup and knocking down shots with his feet set. The size, length and untapped potential that is beginning to turn the corner into production is the draw with Jeffers. George Washington, Old Dominion, UAB and Virginia Tech all officially offered the DeMatha product over the last three weeks.

15p 3r 1a 1b vs Bullis

-The athletic flashes are REALLY real for perhaps the highest upside prospect in the local 2027 class. Jeffers served as a lob threat in transition on several possessions for 2-handed finishes above the rim, had a short roll catch and floater off 2 feet from the short corner that hit nothing but net, and showed some improved defensive instincts to stay down on a pump fake and block the shot before he outletted the rebound to go the other way. While I want to see him play more aggressively on the glass to harness his physical tools to impact games on a more consistent basis, it’s cool to see how far he’s already come in the last 18 months.

Jeffers continues to stack performances here in June and it all stems with his ability to finish plays, control the glass and protect the rim. He’s now at the point where when he catches in the dunker’s spot, the result is a a two-handed flush no matter if there is a defender in the way or not. In S1 he had spurts of stepping away and showing shooting touch, but when he keeps it simple like he has been thus far in S2, your mind goes to a realistic role at the next level. His emphasis on the glass has been noteworthy both defensively and sizing up putbacks with timing as he dives from the foul line area. Jeffers concluded with 11PTS on 3-of-6 from the field and 7REBS.

Jeffers and the prospect mentioned below in this article are both long-term, high ceiling prospects that can translate at the high major level due to their combination of length and size. The DeMatha standout started catching eyes last summer in June, but has since gotten taller as well as added more ability to his skillset overall. His hands have improved on the move and finishing plays in traffic out of rolls or quick flashes. He’s more of an emphatic shot-blocker as his timing as improved.

Jeffers was impactful as a lob threat in the dunkers spot, active on the offensive glass where he tallied second-chance points and did his diligence controlling the rebounding responsibilities along with Kacerauskas (mentioned later).

Per games averages ended up being 6.0PPG, 6.0RPG and 3.4 stocks (steals + blocks) per game.

Previous Ranking: 23

-Moving up 10+ spots in our top 25 is not an easy feat to do, but Jeffers accomplished that this season with consistent double-double performances as one of the youngest players in this class. Jeffers proved to be a capable pick n pop midrange shooter, showed significant improvement as a play-finisher around the rim, and patrolled the paint to swat away shots for a DeMatha defensive unit that set the tone. His athleticism really stood out as a dynamic leaper that blocked several shots with a teammate in between him and the layup shooter in a few different games. Fully expect his recruitment to blow up this summer as college coaches get to see the rising junior in action.

Jared is an intriguing four-man, Projectable post with size, length, athleticism, and emerging skill mid-range game. Skilled big man with touch and is a shot blocking presence! Jared has really impressed with his play throughout the season. Due to his two-way activity and willingness to protect the rim with purpose. Being mobile with long arms and solid touch around the rim with both ends. Ability to face and space the floor stroking the 3…He is still far from a finished product but displayed a lot of promise as a big young man. His continued development will be important but if he continues to work, he has a chance to see his stock soar in the next 6-12 months. One to monitor very closely. Finished the game against Carroll scoring 17 points on 7-8 shooting, 1-1 from the 3pt line, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block.

7p 5r 5b 2s vs St. John’s

-The flashes from Jeffers are becoming more and more frequent as the junior forward is really putting things together for DeMatha in a strong start to the conference season. Jeffers showed improved perimeter acumen on a made 3 and made 18-footer off the catch, explosive athleticism on a 2-handed dunk in the 3Q, and some pretty dominant rim-protection ability as he blocked shots (5) both on and off the ball while affecting several more attempts. Jeffers read the passer’s eyes to steal the crosscourt pass and has made strides in his defensive rotations to affect the game with his leaping ability. Every shoe team in the area is clamoring for his services this spring and summer, and for good reason with the continued signs of improvement on Madison Street.

15p 9r 1b vs O’Connell

-One of the youngest prospects in the local 2027 class, Jeffers is really starting to put it together as a forward prospect with a great motor. Jeffers’ positioning feel for rebounds has really improved, and that improvement showed on well-timed dives to the rim for putback dunks in the 1H. He then showed the skill progression with a catch and one-dribble fader from the midpost that hit nothing but net. Then had one more great catch on the offensive rebound before stuffing it home for two points. His stamina and athleticism have really improved as well to allow him to play for longer spurts of time as a rim-runner and roll target off of high ball screens. Just received an offer from VT, expect more to follow as college coaches see his 2-way value and upside.

If the last time you saw Jeffers was in the summer, you’d be pleasantly surprised to see him now not only because he sprouted 2-to-3 inches within that timeframe, but his confidence and overall skill continue to trend in the right direction. Jeffers has been a rim protector for a DeMatha team that prides themselves on ball pressure with their guards. A lot of time they can be ultra aggressive with the peace of mind that Jeffers is standing in the paint with ability to erase mistakes or potential gambles. On the offensive side he’s finishing above the rim with power, showing progression with touch on his over the shoulder hooks and the same can be said with his face-up mid-range jumper. Jeffers is still just scratching the surface of the player he has the potential to be, but the production is becoming more consistent, which warrants a boost just as he sits just outside of the top-20.