Al Jefferson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Al Jefferson

Jefferson with the Hornets in 2014
Personal information
Born	(1985-01-04) January 4, 1985 (age 40) Monticello, Mississippi, U.S.
High school	Prentiss (Prentiss, Mississippi)
Listed height	6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight	289 lb (131 kg)
Career information
NBA Draft	2004 / Round: 1 / Pick: 15th overall
Selected by the Boston Celtics
Pro career	2004–2018
Career history
2004–2007	Boston Celtics
2007–2010	Minnesota Timberwolves
2010–2013	Utah Jazz
2013–2016	Charlotte Bobcats / Hornets
2016–2018	Indiana Pacers
2018	Xinjiang Flying Tigers
Career highlights and awards
All-NBA Third Team (2014) NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2005) McDonald's All-American (2004) First-team Parade All-American (2004) Mississippi Mr. Basketball (2004)
Career NBA statistics
Points	14,343 (15.7 ppg)
Rebounds	7,690 (8.4 rpg)
Blocks	1,093 (1.2 bpg)

Al Ricardo Jefferson (born January 4, 1985) is a former professional basketball player from the United States. He was a top high school player for Prentiss High School in Mississippi. Instead of going to college, he went straight into the 2004 NBA draft. The Boston Celtics picked him 15th overall. He played 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played for the Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, Charlotte Hornets, and Indiana Pacers. In 2014, he was named to the All-NBA third team while playing for the Hornets.

High School Basketball Star

Al Jefferson was born in Monticello, Mississippi. He went to Prentiss High School from 2000 to 2004. He was a starter on the varsity team even as a freshman. By his junior year, he was one of the best players in the country. Both college coaches and NBA scouts noticed his talent.

In his final year, he was amazing. He scored an average of 42.6 points per game. He also grabbed 18 rebounds and blocked seven shots per game. His team made it to the Mississippi state semi-finals. He scored 56 points in that game. Experts like Rivals.com ranked him as the top center in the nation. He first planned to play for Arkansas. But he decided to jump straight to the NBA instead.

Professional Basketball Journey

Playing for the Boston Celtics (2004–2007)

The Boston Celtics chose Al Jefferson as the 15th pick in the 2004 NBA draft. He was the first high school player the Celtics drafted directly. He mostly played as a power forward. In his first year, he averaged 6.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He wore jersey number 8 at first. Later, he changed to number 7 to honor his favorite player, Jermaine O'Neal.

His second season was tough due to ankle and knee injuries. He played in only 59 games that year. Before the 2006–07 season, Jefferson worked hard to get healthier. He lost about 30 pounds and had ankle surgery. He also had an appendectomy during the season.

Jefferson's role grew when other players got injured. He started playing more minutes and scoring more points. On December 9, 2006, he scored a career-high 29 points. He also grabbed 14 rebounds in a game against the New Jersey Nets. He continued to play well, scoring 20 points or more in several games. On March 3, 2007, he set a new career high with 32 points and 18 rebounds. His strong play earned him the NBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Week award.

Time with the Minnesota Timberwolves (2007–2010)

On July 31, 2007, Jefferson was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. This trade involved several players and draft picks. After joining the Timberwolves, he signed a big contract extension. It was worth $65 million over five years. He felt it was a good deal, even if it wasn't the absolute maximum.

In his first season with the Timberwolves, Jefferson led the team in scoring. He played in all 82 games. He averaged 21.0 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. He was one of only four players in the NBA to average 20 points and 10 rebounds. This showed he was one of the league's top big men. In January 2008, he won Western Conference Player of the Week. He averaged 33.3 points and 15.3 rebounds that week.

Jefferson was having his best year in the 2008–09 season. He averaged 23.1 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks. But he suffered a serious knee injury in a game. He tore his ACL, which ended his season. The team struggled after he got hurt. On January 13, 2010, Jefferson set a team record. He grabbed 26 rebounds in a game against the Houston Rockets. This record was later broken by Kevin Love. After his knee surgery, he had a solid 2009–10 season. He played 76 games, averaging 17.1 points and 9.3 rebounds.

Leading the Utah Jazz (2010–2013)

On July 13, 2010, Jefferson was traded to the Utah Jazz. This gave him a chance to play with All-Star point guard Deron Williams. His first season in Utah had its ups and downs. The team's star player and coach left during the season. Jefferson stepped up to become a leader for the young team.

He played in all 82 games during the 2010–11 season. He showed he was fully recovered from his knee injury. He had 37 games where he scored double-digits in points and rebounds (called double-doubles). He finished the season averaging 18.6 points and 9.7 rebounds.

In the shorter 2011–12 season, Jefferson continued to improve. He became a strong team leader. Many people thought he should be chosen for his first All-Star team. He ended the season tied for seventh in the league with 31 double-doubles. He helped lead his team back to the playoffs. The Jazz faced the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. The Spurs were too strong and won the series in four games.

During the 2012–13 season, Jefferson was the main player for the Jazz. He led the team in scoring and rebounding again. He had 37 double-doubles that season. He scored a career-high 40 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Jazz just missed the playoffs that year. Jefferson proved he was a powerful player near the basket.

Charlotte Bobcats / Hornets Years (2013–2016)

Joining the Bobcats (2013–14 Season)

Jefferson takes a shot during his debut game for the Charlotte Bobcats on October 30, 2013.

On July 10, 2013, Jefferson signed a three-year contract with the Charlotte Bobcats. His start with the new team was delayed by an ankle injury. He missed most of the preseason and nine early games. Once he was healthy, he started to play very well. On January 31, 2014, he tied his career high with 40 points. This was in a win against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Jefferson with the Bobcats in 2014

He continued his high level of play. He won the Eastern Conference Player of the Month award for March and April 2014. He averaged 24.7 points and 10.6 rebounds in March. On April 20, 2014, Jefferson got a foot injury during the playoffs. He was named to the 2014 All-NBA third team.

Hornets Challenges (2014–15 Season)

After a great 2013–14 season, Jefferson continued to play well for the newly named Charlotte Hornets. On November 7, 2014, he scored a season-high 34 points. This helped the Hornets win a double overtime game. Despite a good start, the Hornets then lost many games in a row.

Jefferson dealt with a groin injury during this season. He missed nine games because of it. When he returned, he came off the bench for a few games. This was the first time he hadn't started a game in a very long time. He later got his starting spot back. He also had a calf strain later in the season. Despite injuries, he recorded his 20th double-double of the season in March. On June 15, 2015, Jefferson decided to stay with the Hornets for the next season.

Final Season with Hornets (2015–16 Season)

Jefferson averaged 12.8 points and 7.3 rebounds in the first four games of the 2015–16 season. On November 5, he scored 31 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. On November 20, he had 26 points, 10 rebounds, and a season-high 5 blocks. He then left a game in November with a calf strain.

On December 9, 2015, Jefferson was suspended for five games. This was for breaking the NBA's anti-drug rules. He missed 11 games due to injury and suspension. He returned on December 26, coming off the bench. A tear in his right knee was found on December 30. This injury kept him out for six weeks. He returned on February 19. In the last game of the regular season, he scored 26 points off the bench. The Hornets finished as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. In the playoffs, Jefferson scored 25 points in Game 2 against the Miami Heat. The Hornets lost the series in seven games.

Playing for the Indiana Pacers (2016–2018)

On July 9, 2016, Jefferson signed a three-year contract with the Indiana Pacers. He played his first game for the Pacers on October 26, 2016. He scored seven points and grabbed six rebounds. He scored a season-high 18 points on November 9. On January 18, 2017, he scored 20 points. He had another 20-point game two days later. Jefferson missed the last eight games of the season with a sprained ankle.

On November 8, 2017, Jefferson scored 19 points against the Detroit Pistons. On March 15, 2018, he scored a season-high 20 points. He also had 12 rebounds in that game. On April 10, he played his final NBA game. He scored 12 points and had five rebounds against the Charlotte Hornets. On July 2, 2018, the Pacers released him from his contract.

Playing in China (2018)

In July 2018, Jefferson signed with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers. This team is in the Chinese Basketball Association. He left the team in November 2018. In 10 games, he averaged 15.1 points and 7.5 rebounds.

Retirement and BIG3 League

On March 23, 2019, Al Jefferson announced he was retiring from the NBA. Earlier that month, he signed to play in the BIG3 league. This league features former NBA players.

NBA Career Statistics

Regular Season Stats

Playoff Stats

Images for kids

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  Jefferson driving against Chuck Hayes of the Houston Rockets.

See also

In Spanish: Al Jefferson para niños