No, not that Jefferson; he’s the one on the Vikings. All kidding aside, Rising Sophomore Joshua Jefferson is a major obstacle for the Clones exiting the portal.
The 6’8 product from Las Vegas (to which we will return) is an immediate contributor to Iowa State’s 2024-25 Men’s Basketball squad. One would assume this is a substitute for the outgoing Tre King. I see it as an upgrade.
Jefferson is a silky 6’8 wing who can put the ball on the floor, play defence, and stretch offensively when necessary. The 3-point shooting percentage is a potential red flag for me; but, compared to last year, the gap between Tre’s percentages (27.7% on 1.3 tries per game) and Joshua’s is modest (26.7% on 2.3 attempts per game). I’ll also point out that Iowa State’s spacing will be considerably superior than St. Mary’s.
The ISU roster currently has five returning players who shot more than 35%, up from three previous season. Teams will scout Joshua as a “non-shooter,” which means he will get open looks. This is not a knock on him, but rather a test of Coach Otzelberger’s roster. Teams will have to give something up. Having a possible fourth or fifth offensive option who can grow into a 35+% 3-point shooter opens up additional opportunities for this offence.
If you look at teams that have recently won or contended for a national title, you should notice a trend: 1. “You need experience” and 2. “You cannot go far in March without Bigs who can stretch the floor.” Brady Manek, Christian Braun (Jalen Wilson), Matthew Mayer, Alex Karaban, and Mason Gillis.
This guy has the potential to be the next in line. None of the players named were the top tier players on their respective teams; they were supplementary pieces. That is exactly who Jefferson is: a valuable supplemental player who will carry this club to the next level. Do not misinterpret this; supplemental does not imply that he is not as excellent as others, but given how this team has performed, this is the role I see him occupying.
Given Milan’s starting position at 3, I believe he would fit nicely in as the starting 4. If Joshua does not start and Curtis Jones/Nate Heise plays wing, I expect him to be the first player off the bench, with Jones/Heise joining him. St. Mary’s has a consistent high-level, defensive-based program, so he’ll fit right in mentally.
TJ would not pursue him unless he was already in that mindset. I also believe that his Las Vegas background contributes to the program’s comfort level. The personnel most likely recruited him and/or knew he was in their backyard during their previous stay. They know how he is wired, and he knows how they are wired; the match would not have happened if it had not been mutual. I expect him to hit the ground running and contribute significantly to this roster.
Last thoughts: This is a stacked roster, possibly the best in school history already. Be prepared for a fantastic year.
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