NBA Player Richard Jefferson
New Jersey's Jefferson is underrated, versatile NBA player
Jan 13, 2007
As the face and young leader of the New Jersey Nets, Richard Jefferson has matured into one of the most versatile NBA players today answering every call thrown his way. Suite101 profiles the New Jersey Nets' Richard Jefferson.
Name: Richard Jefferson
Born: June 21, 1980: Los Angeles California
Team: New Jersey Nets
Position: Small Forward
Awards and Recognition:
- Bronze Medal winner Team USA Basketball: 2004 Olympic Games, Athens
- NBA All-Rookie Second Team Selection: 2002
- USA Basketball Senior Men’s Team selection: 2003
Background:
After his birth, Richard Jefferson moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he became and basketball and track superstar at Moon Valley High School. Before high school, Jefferson traveled extensively with his parents who were both non-denominational christian missionaries in Africa.
After being recruited by the University of Arizona, Jefferson made a modest name for himself by helping the Wildcats continue their tradition of elite basketball teams. In his final year, 2001, he helped the Wildcats reach the Final Four in the NCAA tournament, their first appearance since 1997.
After the NCAA tournament, Richard Jefferson entered the NBA draft and was selected as the 13th overall pick by the Houston Rockets. Soon after, Jefferson was traded to the New Jersey Nets, which ultimately worked in their favor.
Early NBA Life:
As with the rest of his life, Richard Jefferson’s early NBA Career began modestly. He began as a reserve NBA player but showed great potential, development, and versatility which soon made him the Nets everyday starter. Because of his development, Jefferson helped the Nets win back-to-back NBA Eastern Conference championships in 2002 and 2003.
The two successful seasons helped Jefferson, along with teammates Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, Nenad Krstic, earn the title "Fantastic 4."
After signing his first multi-million dollar contract, Richard Jefferson missed most of the 2004-2005 season after rupturing a ligament in his left wrist. Since then, he has fully recovered and continued his versatile playing fashion as a central figure on the New Jersey Nets "Fantastic 4."
NBA Highlights:
Like most of his life and personality, Richard Jefferson’s NBA highlights are modest, but valuable to the success of the Nets. In the 2006-2007 season, Jefferson has continued his steady and modest rise as one of the NBA’s most versatile and valuable NBA players. So far he has put up consistent numbers both offensively and defensively.
Phil Liaboe is a freelance writer and author of The Guild of Thieves. Learn more about his work at Phil Liaboe Books.
