Damien Jefferson

Damien Jefferson (born October 3, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for Filou Oostende of the BNXT League. He played college basketball for the New Mexico Lobos and the Creighton Bluejays.

Damien Jefferson
Jefferson (right) with Creighton in 2019
Filou Oostende
PositionSmall forward
LeagueBNXT League
Personal information
Born (1997-10-03) October 3, 1997
East Chicago, Indiana
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High schoolCentral
(East Chicago, Indiana)
College
NBA draft2021: undrafted
Playing career2021–present
Career history
2021–2022Stockton Kings
2022–2023Memphis Hustle
2023–presentFilou Oostende
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com

High school career

Jefferson attended Central High School in East Chicago, Indiana. As a senior, he averaged 26.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game and was named The Times of Northwest Indiana Player of the Year.[1] Jefferson led his team to a Class 4A sectional title and was named an Indiana All-Star.[2] He committed to playing college basketball for New Mexico, his father's alma mater.[3]

College career

Jefferson averaged 5.3 points and 2.3 rebounds as a freshman at New Mexico. For his sophomore season, he transferred to Creighton and sat out for one year due to transfer rules.[4] As a sophomore, Jefferson averaged 6.2 points and four rebounds per game.[5] In his junior season, he averaged 9.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Jefferson declared for the 2020 NBA draft before withdrawing and returning to college.[6] On December 17, 2020, he flirted with a triple-double, recording 10 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in a 94–76 win over St. John's.[7] As a senior, Jefferson earned Second Team All-Big East honors.[8] He averaged 11.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Jefferson declared for the 2021 NBA draft, forgoing an additional season of eligibility the NCAA granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9]

Professional career

Jefferson joined the Sacramento Kings for the 2021 NBA Summer League, winning a summer league championship.[10] He joined the Stockton Kings as an affiliate player on October 25, 2021,[11] but was later waived on January 29, 2022. He was acquired by the Memphis Hustle on February 14.[12]

On July 31, 2023, Jefferson signed with Filou Oostende of the BNXT League.[13]

Career statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2016–17 New Mexico 29615.1.438.214.4902.31.0.4.15.3
2017–18 Creighton Redshirt Redshirt
2018–19 Creighton 261618.0.535.412.6344.0.8.4.16.2
2019–20 Creighton 302927.1.533.217.6355.51.4.6.29.4
2020–21 Creighton 313130.9.512.348.6055.42.41.2.311.9
Career 1168223.0.509.304.5924.41.4.7.28.3

Personal life

Jefferson's father, Everette, played college basketball at New Mexico.[14]

References
  1. Hanlon, Steve (March 31, 2016). "Times Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Damien Jefferson, E.C. Central". The Times of Northwest Indiana. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  2. Boyd, James (April 30, 2020). "EC Central grad, Creighton forward Damien Jefferson declares for NBA Draft". The Times of Northwest Indiana. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  3. Hanlon, Steve (September 21, 2015). "E.C. Central's Damien Jefferson visits New Mexico, verbally commits to play for the Lobos". The Times of Northwest Indiana. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  4. Nyatawa, Jon (June 22, 2017). "Former New Mexico guard Damien Jefferson announces he'll transfer to Creighton". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  5. "Damien Jefferson – 2020-21 – Men's Basketball". Creighton University Athletics. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  6. Ferguson, Aaron (August 1, 2020). "East Chicago's Damien Jefferson withdraws from NBA Draft, returns to Creighton". The Times of Northwest Indiana. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  7. DeMarinis, Matt (December 18, 2020). "Damien Jefferson is proving that he doesn't need a spotlight in order to shine". White & Blue Review. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  8. Nyatawa, Jon (March 7, 2021). "Creighton's Marcus Zegarowski, Damien Jefferson and Denzel Mahoney earn Big East honors". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  9. Goodman, Jeff (May 3, 2021). "Stadium's 2021 NBA Draft Entry Tracker". WatchStadium.com. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  10. Westrick, Sam (August 18, 2021). "Damien Jefferson is NBA Summer League Champion". 247Sports.com. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  11. "Stockton Kings Announce 2021-22 Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. October 25, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  12. "2021-22 NBA G League Transactions". NBA.com. February 14, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  13. "NEW PLAYER ANNOUNCEMENT". BCOostende.be. July 31, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  14. Tate, Van (October 24, 2016). "Lobos' Damien Jefferson has a big smile and big game". KRQE. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
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