Wizards' Jeffries looks solid so far
By John N. Mitchell
THE WASHINGTON TIMES

BOSTON — There was never much doubt Jared Jeffries would be a lottery pick in last month's NBA Draft. But the draft is, if anything, an inexact science, at best. Top Stories
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No one knows where Jeffries, selected No.11 by Washington, will be in a few years. The Wizards have heaped accolades on Jeffries, but that is normal when talking about a top draft pick.
The perspective of others, outside the Wizards family, sometimes can be more revealing.
Before the draft, the knock on Jeffries was that he was soft. But according to a scout with an Eastern Conference team that had the 6-foot-11 Jeffries in for a workout before the draft — and picked after the Wizards — that isn't the case.
"I don't know where all of that came from," said the scout, who wished to remain anonymous. "Honestly, I don't. I think a lot of fans who saw him for the first time in the NCAA championship might think that way because he fouled out with just eight points."
The scout pointed out that Jeffries' poor showing in the biggest game of his life came shortly after he scored 24 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to help Indiana rally from 17 points down to defeat defending champion Duke 74-73 in the South Region.
"If you want to look at it on a game-by-game basis, you have to look at what he did in that game. There were a few drafted players in that game, right? Jay Williams, [Mike] Dunleavy. Jared was the best player on the floor for that game."
When he was drafted by the Wizards, Jeffries was listed at 6-10 and 215 pounds. Now, according to the Wizards, he goes an inch taller and 15 pounds heavier.
But questions remain whether the Wizards would have taken Connecticut's Caron Butler had he been available when the Wizards picked.
Butler starred at Connecticut and was viewed by some as the player most ready for the NBA in the June draft. The Miami Heat, selecting 10th, snatched up Butler leaving Jeffries to the Wizards.
The scout said the Heat made the right choice with Butler and added his team would have made the same selection. "We were shocked that Butler slipped the way he did," he said. "I know there were some rumors about his knees, but, wow, what a player. I think Jeffries is going to be good. But I think if Washington had the chance to pick between the two, I think they would take Butler."
Before the draft Jeffries was viewed as a power forward, perhaps even a guy who could grow into a center that saw spot duty. Jeffries said he was not able to demonstrate his open-court skills in college.
Since the Wizards' minicamp began last week at MCI Center, Jeffries has surprised the coaching staff with his ability to take the ball off the boards, put it on the floor and lead the break.
When asked which player he models his game after, Jeffries mentions Minnesota forward Kevin Garnett.
That might be a bit of a reach, but if one thing is clear it's that Jeffries is much more than a big guy who camps out in the post and hollers for the ball. In last night's loss to the Boston Celtics in Shaw's Pro Summer League, Jeffries often brought the ball upcourt against the pressure defense. He also showed he could hit a deep baseline jumper and penetrate to the basket.
"When he worked out with us he showed his versatility," the scout said. "When he played in college you could kind of tell that he had that skill. If he got the ball far away from the basket he knew what to do with it. It wasn't a gamble."
Note — The Wizards' record dropped to 0-2 last night as the Celtics led from start to finish on the way to a 75-67 victory.
Boston was led by Kedrick Brown's 24 points, and Joe Forte, a native of the Washington area, added 17 points. Juan Dixon led the Wizards with 19 points.

Washington, 2-2 25 26 14 16 81
Minnesota, 2-1 16 18 14 21 69
Leaders: Points: J. Dixon (WAS), 16; Rebounds: E. Thomas (WAS), 14; Assists: Dixon, (WAS), 6

Washington put on an offensive exhibition in the second quarter, hitting 9-for-11 from the floor (81.8 percent) and 8-for-10 from the foul line on the way to handing the Minnesota Timberwolves their first lost, 81-69, at the Shaw’s Pro Summer League. Juan Dixon led a balanced Washington attack with 16 points, Etan Thomas added 15 points and Jared Jeffries and Bobby Simmons had 13 points each.

The difference in shooting percentage in the second quarter was staggering. Washington (2-2) shot a sizzling 81.8 percent while Timberwolves (2-1) could hit just 33.3 percent from the floor. It was truly a team effort as nine of the 11 Wizards to step on the court in the quarter scored. The Wizards, who led 25-16 after one quarter, blew the game open during a 5:10 span in the middle of the quarter during which they outscored the Timberwolves 15-6 to take a 46-27 lead into the locker room.

The Wizards led 65-48 after three and stayed in command through most of the fourth. Minnesota made a run behind Loren Woods, cutting the Washington lead to 73-65 with 2:26 remaining. But layups by Kwame Brown and Simmons stopped the Timberwolves’ momentum and built the lead back to 12, Washington’s final margain of victory.

Wizards rookie forward Jared Jeffries will join washingtonwizards.com for a live chat this Friday, July 19 at 2 p.m. ET! Jeffries was selected 11th overall in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards.

Standing 6-10, Jeffries left Indiana University after his sophomore season in which he led the Hoosiers to the NCAA title game, averaging 15.0 points per game. He was named Big Ten Player of the Year after becoming one of just six sophomores in school history to top the 1,000 point plateau. Jeffries led the Hoosiers with 24 points and 15 rebounds in Indiana's upset of top-seeded Duke in this year's NCAA Southeast Regional Semifinal.

Here's your chance to ask Jared about his early experiences as a rookie in the NBA. Send in your questions now!

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Julie, Baltimore: How does it feel to play along side Juan Dixon when you had to play against him in the 2002 Championship Game?

Jared Jeffries: It's exciting because he's a really good player who does a lot of good things on the court and so it's good to play with a player like him who has the experience he has.

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Benny Park: Do you feel that the triangle offense benefits a player with skills that you have? Is it in your interest to become another Scottie Pippen type player?

Jared Jeffries: Definitely, I feel like I can become a player similar to Scottie. I think the triangle offense gives a player like me a chance to shine.

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Dizzy (Indianapolis): hey jared congratulations on being drafted. it's always nice to see a fellow hoosier going in the first round of the nba draft. My question to you is which team are you looking forward to playing aganist the most? I personally can not wait until you come to play in Conseco Fieldhouse.

Jared Jeffries: That's probably the place I'm looking forward to most...going to Indiana and playing in front of my hometown fans.

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Kara (Manassas, VA): Jared, Are you at all nervous about being in the NBA and playing for the Wizards? Do you have any pregame rituals?

Jared Jeffries: Not necessarily nervous, it's just really going to be challenging. I always get dressed the same way, I put my socks on, then my jersey, my short and then my shoes.

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Brandon, NC: Jared, What do you think will be your toughest adjustment in the NBA?

Jared Jeffries: Getting used to all the great players night in and night out. Getting used to playing the best players every night. The travel is going to be tough too.

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An (Brisbane): What's your career highlight so far?

Jared Jeffries: Going to the Final Four. You always dream about going to the Final Four and to the Championship and we were able to accomplish that this year.

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Aaron Burns from Valdese, NC: What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Jared Jeffries: Probably oreo/vanilla.

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Aaron Burns from Valdese, NC: What CDs do you like to listen to?

Jared Jeffries: I think a lot of different kinds of music. I like the new Nelly, I like Jay-Z, I also like R&B, Musiq, Soulchild, that kind of stuff.

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Bob: What will you miss most about college life at IU?

Jared Jeffries: Probably just having a chance to play in front of my family. And the atmosphere, there's nothing like walking out on the court in Indiana.

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Tempo341 (DC): How did you put on so much weight between the NCAAs and the draft? How much of a difference has the weight made?

Jared Jeffries: I was just able to get into the weight room. I have the body type that is hard to gain weight, so I just have to get on a steady diet and get in the weight room.

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mike chicago: Jared , Which position are you likely to play for the wizards ? What position do you feel the most confortable at ?

Jared Jeffries: I pretty much like playing a forward position.

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Herndon: Do you feel like there is an extra burden to prove yourself coming from a college program (Indiana) that has not historically produced NBA players (similar to a North Carolina, Michigan, UCLA, etc).

Jared Jeffries: Yeah, it's something I want to do, start something new at Indiana when players come into school can look at me and think they can get there.

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Felipe Garcia: What do you think your key strengths are in your game?

Jared Jeffries: My versatility, I'm a tough matchup. If you put someone small on me, I can go around them.

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ponch, new mexico: In the NCAA game against Duke what were thinking when jason williams made the three to pull Duke within one with seconds left in the game? And did you think he would the free throw?

Jared Jeffries: I didn't think he was going to miss the free throw. I was just holding my breath, hoping we could pull out the win in overtime.

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Boston : Jared I have been a big fan of yours at Indiana. How does it feel to play with the best players in the NBA ever. This season do you think you will be one of the top rookie's in the NBA.

Jared Jeffries: I think I'll be one of the top rookies, as long as I get a chance to come out and play, I'll have an impact from what I can do with the ball.

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skott, belfast: so what do you guys do after the games in boston?

Jared Jeffries: Sometimes we just get something to eat. We don't do a whole lot. Las tnight we just went out to eat, then came back to the hotel and hung out.

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Tariq: Didn't you help work on NBA Live 2003? What is the process to even be invited to that? Do they call you or do you have to request to be part of the game?

Jared Jeffries: All the first round guys did stuff. The whole rookie class went in and did photo shoots and stuff.

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Mike: Hey Jared, Do you have a nickname or is there any nickname that you would like to have?

Jared Jeffries: Everyone just calls me JJ. I really don't have very many nicknames.

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Danny B. Falls Church, VA: What is it like to be playing with MJ? Would you rather go to some other Teams instead?

Jared Jeffries: I wouldn't trade the opportunity to play with him for anything. He's the best player ever and one of the best businessman ever. I just want to learn from him.

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Washington, DC: Hi Jared, Have you gotten to do much site-seeing in Washington yet? If so, what's your favorite attraction?

Jared Jeffries: I've got a chance to go out here and there, I'm looking forward to doing more sightseeing there.

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Ryan(DC): Sometimes I see your height listed at 6'9", other times at see it at 6'11", now I see it at 6'10". What's it gonna be?

Jared Jeffries: (laughs). I'm 6-11 with shoes on, so I think that's what it will be.

Jared Jeffries: It's hard to say right now. I just want to play some and have a chance to make an impact as soon as I can.

Jared Jeffries: Thanks to everyone. Look forward to seeing us play during the season!

glad he is making a great impression with the organization..