« Men’s Basketball 2016-17

Amile Jefferson

School
Duke University
Position
Forward
Major
History

Classroom

Amile Jefferson graduated from Duke in 2016 with a degree in history and is now in graduate school at the university. He was named to the All-ACC Academic Team in 2016, becoming the first player in program history to earn the award four times. He was the recipient of Duke’s Dr. Deryl Hart Award, presented to the team’s top scholar-athlete, in both 2014 and 2015.

Character

Jefferson’s teammates once again voted him a team captain for the 2016-17 season, making him the first three-time captain at Duke in at least the last two decades. Knowing that Duke had a talented, yet young, group of freshmen on this year’s team, Jefferson attended both sessions of summer school in order to provide guidance and leadership to the newcomers. Jefferson also has universally been recognized as the heart and soul of this Duke team. In the latter stages of Duke’s national championship run in 2015, a change in Duke’s starting lineup necessitated Jefferson moving from the starting lineup to a reserve role. Not only did he willingly accept the change, he flourished in the role and was a key defensive stopper in the NCAA title-game win over Wisconsin. After that game, former Duke All-American Jahlil Okafor called Jefferson, “one of the most unselfish players I’ve ever played with.”

Community

As a member of the Duke basketball program, Jefferson routinely participates in good works. He and his teammates are involved with the Read with the Blue Devils program, which seeks to aid area teachers in encouraging children to read at an early age. Jefferson also has been a fixture at Duke Children’s Hospital and the Emily K Center, whose mission is inspire students to dream big, act with character and purpose, and reach their potential as leaders in their communities. During the Fall of 2015, Jefferson and his teammates participated in a basketball clinic with children from the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development.

Competition

A physical and active force at both ends of the floor, Jefferson was averaging a double-double (11.4 points, 10.3 rebounds) in 2015-16 when he was lost for the season with a fractured foot. He has played in 115 games in a Duke uniform, averaging 6.1 points and 5.7 rebounds while helping the Blue Devils win a national title in 2015. One of the best offensive rebounders in program history, he will enter his final collegiate season ranked sixth on Duke’s career chart with 277. His .624 career field-goal percentage is also second-best in program history among players who have made at least 200 field goals. During his tenure at Duke, Jefferson has helped lead the team to a 116-30 overall record.