Amile Jefferson calls working out for 76ers 'amazing'
The former Duke player grew up in the area and attended Friends' Central.
Amile Jefferson described working out for this hometown 76ers as amazing.
The Duke forward arrived in town Sunday night after a workout with the San Antonio Spurs. He checked into a hotel as he used to do the night before the Blue Devils faced a Philly college at the Wells Fargo Center.
But this time was different.
"Just to be here and walk into my room and seeing that Sixers shirt," he said Monday morning, "and just have the feeling growing up, watching guys like Allen Iverson, Aaron McKie, knowing these guys, just being able to come back and have this opportunity for the team I loved growing up was nothing short of amazing."
Jefferson worked out in a group that also included guards Frank Mason III (Kansas), Jabari Bird (California), James Blackmon Jr. (Indiana) and Marquise Moore (George Mason) and forward Derek Willis (Kentucky).
Jefferson, a McDonald's All-American at Friends' Central in 2012, looked good in the portion of the scrimmage the media was able to see. He ran the floor well and made heady plays in the 3-on-3 workout.
A post player at Duke, the 6-foot-9, 215-pounder showed he could be effective away from the basket.
"In the NBA, I'm a guy that can rebound," he said. "I can play a lot of different positions, especially guard a lot of different positions. I think I bring grit, a leadership, being vocal.
"I'm a worker, and I think I'm a player."
Granted five seasons of eligibility, Jefferson played in 150 college games. He averaged 10.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and a career-best 1.9 blocks this past season. Jefferson has worked out for 14 NBA teams.
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