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Al Jefferson Prentiss High School |
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(2004 - 2007)
Al Jefferson was drafted out of high school with the 15th pick by the Boston Celtics in the 2004 NBA Draft, becoming the first high school player to be drafted by the Celtics (Kendrick Perkins was drafted by the Grizzlies, then traded to Boston on draft day in the 2003 NBA Draft). Jefferson showed great potential during his rookie season averaging 6.7 points and 4.4 rebounds in 14.8 minutes per game. Early consensus on Jefferson was that he was a huge steal with the 15th pick. His performance in his rookie season was solid for a "preps to pros" rookie and many believe that within a few years he will be one of the best power forwards in the game. Jefferson was selected to the NBA Rookie All-Star Game and selected to the NBA All-Rookie 2nd Team.
During Jefferson's second season he suffered a series of ankle injuries and On August 2, 2006, he underwent ankle surgery to remove bone spurs limiting him to playing in only 59 games. He averaged 7.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in 18.0 minutes per game during his sophomore season.
Though Jefferson put up decent numbers during his first two seasons in Boston, he dedicated himself to his conditioning during the summer prior to his third season hiring a personal chef and losing 30 pounds. On November 8, 2006 prior to the fourth game of the season, Al Jefferson had appendectomy surgery and missed seven games making people question whether he would be able to stay healthy. But Jefferson exploded onto the NBA scene during his third year having a dramatic rise in his play and numbers. Jefferson averaged 16.0 ppg, 11 rpg and 1.54 bpg, dominating in the paint with an array of low-post moves and aggressive play on the glass and recording 38 double-doubles. On March 3, 2007, Jefferson scored a career high 32 points to go along with 18 rebounds against the New Jersey Nets, who Jefferson had previously set his career high in points against earlier in the season. On March 5, 2007, Jefferson was named the NBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Week.
On July 31, 2007 Jefferson considered the key component was traded along with Gerald Green, Ryan Gomes, Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair, and two first round draft picks, to the Minnesota for Kevin Garnett.
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Al Jefferson Boston Celtics Career Achievements |
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• Selected by the Celtics as 15th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft.
• Selected to the NBA Rookie All-Star Game in 2005.
• Selected to the NBA All-Rookie 2nd Team in 2004-05.
• Jefferson was named the NBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Week on March 5, 2007.
• Grabbed a career high 22 rebounds against Detroit on Jan. 13,2007.
• Jefferson's first 20 point game came on Dec. 10, 2005 against Dallas when he scored 21 points.
• Scored a career high 32 points against New Jersey on March 3, 2007. |
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Al Jefferson Prentiss High School Career Stats |
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Rookie Season 04-05 |
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REBOUNDS PER GAME |
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G |
MPG |
FG% |
FT% |
OFF |
DEF |
RPG |
APG |
BPG |
TO |
PPG |
71 |
14.8 |
.528 |
.630 |
1.7 |
2.7 |
4.4 |
.3 |
.77 |
.93 |
6.7 |
Playoffs 04-05 |
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REBOUNDS PER GAME |
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G |
MPG |
FG% |
FT% |
OFF |
DEF |
RPG |
APG |
BPG |
TO |
PPG |
7 |
19.4 |
.415 |
.750 |
2.4 |
4.0 |
6.4 |
.3 |
1.14 |
.57 |
6.1 |
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