Othyus Jeffers facts for kids
Jeffers with the Washington Wizards in 2011
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 5, 1985 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| High school |
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| Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Listed weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College |
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| NBA Draft | 2008 / Undrafted |
| Pro career | 2008–2016 |
| Coaching career | 2016–2019 |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 2008–2009 | Iowa Energy |
| 2009 | NGC Cantù |
| 2010 | Iowa Energy |
| 2010 | Utah Jazz |
| 2010–2011 | Iowa Energy |
| 2011 | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2011 | Washington Wizards |
| 2012–2014 | Iowa Energy |
| 2014 | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2014 | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 2014 | Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters |
| 2016 | Barangay Ginebra San Miguel |
| As coach: | |
| 2016–2017 | Robert Morris (Illinois) (associate HC) |
| 2017–2019 | Robert Morris (Illinois) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Othyus Jeffers (born August 5, 1985) is an American former professional basketball player and coach. He played as a shooting guard and small forward. Jeffers played college basketball for the University of Illinois at Chicago and Robert Morris University. He then started his professional career in the NBA D-League, which is like a minor league for the NBA. He also played for three NBA teams: the Utah Jazz, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Washington Wizards. After his playing career, he became a basketball coach.
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Early Life and High School Basketball
Othyus Jeffers was born in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up on the West Side of Chicago. His three older brothers, Henry, Gerome, and Edmund, all played basketball. Othyus often watched their games and practices.
He faced tough times growing up. When he was in third grade, his brother Gerome was shot and died near their home. Nine years later, during his last year of high school, his brother Edmund also died in a shooting nearby. Despite these sad events, Othyus kept playing basketball. He even went to practice the day after Edmund's death.
Before attending Hubbard High School, Jeffers played basketball at Westinghouse High School. He moved to Hubbard in his second year. As a junior, he scored about 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds per game. In his senior year, he led Hubbard to important championship titles. He averaged 28 points and 16 rebounds per game. He finished high school as the school's all-time leading rebounder.
College Basketball Journey
Starting at Community College
Othyus Jeffers did not meet the academic rules to play for a top NCAA college right away. So, he decided to go to Los Angeles Southwest College. This is a type of community college near Los Angeles. In his first year, he was a star player, averaging 22.3 points and 10.7 rebounds.
After one year, he moved back home to Chicago. He transferred to the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). He chose UIC to be close to his family. He started playing for the UIC Flames in 2005. He had to sit out one season to meet the academic requirements.
Playing for the UIC Flames
In the 2005–06 season, Jeffers played in almost all games for UIC. He was a starter in most of them. He was the team leader in rebounds (7.6 per game) and assists (3.0 per game). He also scored 11.6 points per game. He won the Newcomer of The Year award for his great first season.
He played even better in his junior year. He averaged 15.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. He scored a career-high 27 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in one game. He led his team in both scoring and rebounding. He was also named to the All-Horizon League First Team.
A Challenging Time
After his junior season, Othyus faced a difficult event. He was shot in the leg while trying to help his sister during a dispute. Luckily, the bullet passed through his leg without causing major damage. He left the hospital the same night. Even though doctors wanted him to use crutches for three weeks, he only used them for three days! He was back playing basketball in less than a month. This showed his amazing determination.
Finishing at Robert Morris University
After the shooting incident and some disagreements with his coach, Jeffers transferred again. He moved to Robert Morris University. This school played in the NAIA. Moving to an NAIA school meant he did not have to sit out another season.
He finished his college career strongly at Robert Morris. He averaged 24.0 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. He led his team, the RMU Eagles, to a championship. He was named the CCAC Player of the Year. He also helped the Eagles reach the Final Four in the 2007 NAIA Basketball Tournament. He was named NAIA Player of the Year by The Sporting News.
Professional Basketball Career
Starting in the D-League
After college, Othyus Jeffers was eligible for the 2008 NBA draft. However, no NBA team picked him. He then signed a contract to play in the NBA Development League (D-League). This league helps players get ready for the NBA.
In November 2008, the Iowa Energy picked him in the D-League Draft. He played very well, averaging 19.9 points and 8.9 rebounds in his first 24 games. He was chosen to play in the D-League All-Star Game. He scored 14 points in that game. He finished his first season averaging 20.6 points and 8.8 rebounds. He was named the Rookie of the Year for the 2008–09 season.
Playing Overseas in Italy
During the offseason, Jeffers played in the NBA Summer League. He hoped to join an NBA team. When that didn't happen, he decided to play overseas in Italy. He joined NGC Cantù in 2009. He played 10 games there before returning to the D-League.
NBA Opportunities
Jeffers returned to the Iowa Energy in January 2010. His strong play caught the attention of NBA teams.
Utah Jazz
On March 3, 2010, the Utah Jazz signed Jeffers to a 10-day contract. He made his first NBA appearance a few days later. He played well enough to earn a second 10-day contract, and then a contract for the rest of the season. He played 10 games with the Jazz, averaging 2.6 points and 1.4 rebounds. He even played in 6 playoff games.
San Antonio Spurs and Washington Wizards
After playing more for the Iowa Energy, Jeffers was called up again. He signed a 10-day contract with the San Antonio Spurs in March 2011. He played one game for them before returning to Iowa.
Soon after, the Washington Wizards signed him on March 17, 2011. He signed a second 10-day contract and then a contract for the rest of the season. He scored 15 points in a game against the Miami Heat. He also started his first NBA game and recorded his first double-double (scoring double digits in two different stats, like points and rebounds). He played 16 games with the Wizards, averaging 5.7 points and 4.1 rebounds. Even though he finished the season in the NBA, he was still honored in the D-League. He was named to the All NBA D-League Second Team and the NBA D-League All-Defensive First Team.
Injury and Return to D-League
After the 2010–11 season, Othyus faced a big challenge. He tore a ligament in his right knee during a workout. This meant he would miss six to eight months of playing. He missed the entire 2011–12 season because of this injury.
In September 2012, he was invited to the Phoenix Suns' training camp. He played one preseason game before being waived. He then returned to the Iowa Energy for his fourth time. He continued to play well, averaging 14.7 points and 5.4 rebounds. He was named to the NBA D-League All-Defensive Third Team.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Jeffers joined the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 2013 NBA Summer League. He played six games there. In September 2013, he signed with the Timberwolves for training camp but was later waived.
He rejoined the Iowa Energy in November 2013. On January 24, 2014, he signed another 10-day contract with the San Antonio Spurs. He was waived by the Spurs on February 1, 2014. He then rejoined the Iowa Energy.
On April 8, 2014, Jeffers signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the rest of the 2013–14 season. On April 24, 2014, Othyus Jeffers was named the co-MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the NBA D-League for the 2013–14 season. This was a huge achievement!
Playing in the Philippines
In May 2014, he signed with the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in the Philippines. He played one game for them, scoring 38 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. He reportedly missed the next basketball season due to another knee injury.
In January 2016, he signed with the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, another team in the Philippines.
Life After Playing Basketball
On December 22, 2016, it was announced that Othyus Jeffers would return to Robert Morris University. This time, he would be an associate head coach for their basketball team. From 2017 to 2019, he served as the head coach of the team.
See also
In Spanish: Othyus Jeffers para niños
