University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt Lands Commitment from Erie Standout William Jeffress, Jr.
4/28/2020 1:59:00 PM | Men's Basketball
PITTSBURGH – University of Pittsburgh head coach Jeff Capel continued to the bolster the 2020 recruiting class with the signing of consensus top 75 prospect William Jeffress, Jr. With the addition of Jeffress and Femi Odukale during the spring signing period, Pitt's incoming class jumps to 13th in the country (fourth in the ACC) in the latest 247 Sports class calculations.
"Will is a versatile and skilled player with a big upside at only 16 years old," said Capel. "He comes from a terrific family and will be a great representative of the University of Pittsburgh in all areas. We are excited to add him to our program and believe he will fit in nicely with our core group of players as well as the rest of our incoming class."
Jeffress, an elite wing prospect with a terrific combination of skill, size and strength, is one of the top players regardless of class in Pennsylvania. He is a 4.0 student with dual enrollment in both high school and college courses and is also a member of the National Honor Society at Erie's McDowell High School. Jeffress made the decision to reclassify and forego a final season of high school eligibility to join the 2020 recruiting class.
The Erie, Pa., native finished his career as the Trojans' all-time scoring (1,673 points) and rebounding (578 rebounds) leader in just three seasons. He is a three-time all-state selection and has twice named PIAA District 10 Player of the Year.
Jeffress, an all-state and region player of the year selection in 2020, led McDowell to a 23-3 record and PIAA Quarterfinals appearance before the playoffs were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He averaged 24.4 points per game, while scoring 20 or more points in 18 games, including six games with 30 or more points
A sophomore All-America and all-state selection in 2019, Jeffress averaging 24.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game and leading McDowell to the PIAA District 10 semifinals. He earned all-state honors as a freshman after averaging 21.0 points per game and leading the Trojans to the District 10 championship.
Jeffress also helped Team USA to a gold medal at the 2019 FIBA U16 Americas Championship in Brazil. He becomes Pitt's first commitment with a gold medal in international competition since James Robinson joined the program prior to the 2012-13 season.
Jeffress selected Pitt over a final list of schools that included Baylor, Memphis, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Penn State, Stanford, Vanderbilt, Villanova and Virginia. He is the highest rated commit for Capel as the head coach at Pitt and the Panthers' highest ranked ESPN 100 commit since Steven Adams (6th – 2012) and James Robinson (2012 – 43rd).
He joins an impressive recruiting class featuring All-Ohio forward John Hugley, four-star wing and two-time state champion Noah Collier, emerging three-star center Max Amadasun and Odukale, the top player out of the state of Massachusetts.
Jeffress Recruiting Rankings
247 Sports – 58
Rivals – 75
ESPN Top 100 – 33 (2021)
"Will is a versatile and skilled player with a big upside at only 16 years old," said Capel. "He comes from a terrific family and will be a great representative of the University of Pittsburgh in all areas. We are excited to add him to our program and believe he will fit in nicely with our core group of players as well as the rest of our incoming class."
Jeffress, an elite wing prospect with a terrific combination of skill, size and strength, is one of the top players regardless of class in Pennsylvania. He is a 4.0 student with dual enrollment in both high school and college courses and is also a member of the National Honor Society at Erie's McDowell High School. Jeffress made the decision to reclassify and forego a final season of high school eligibility to join the 2020 recruiting class.
The Erie, Pa., native finished his career as the Trojans' all-time scoring (1,673 points) and rebounding (578 rebounds) leader in just three seasons. He is a three-time all-state selection and has twice named PIAA District 10 Player of the Year.
Jeffress, an all-state and region player of the year selection in 2020, led McDowell to a 23-3 record and PIAA Quarterfinals appearance before the playoffs were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He averaged 24.4 points per game, while scoring 20 or more points in 18 games, including six games with 30 or more points
A sophomore All-America and all-state selection in 2019, Jeffress averaging 24.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game and leading McDowell to the PIAA District 10 semifinals. He earned all-state honors as a freshman after averaging 21.0 points per game and leading the Trojans to the District 10 championship.
Jeffress also helped Team USA to a gold medal at the 2019 FIBA U16 Americas Championship in Brazil. He becomes Pitt's first commitment with a gold medal in international competition since James Robinson joined the program prior to the 2012-13 season.
Jeffress selected Pitt over a final list of schools that included Baylor, Memphis, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Penn State, Stanford, Vanderbilt, Villanova and Virginia. He is the highest rated commit for Capel as the head coach at Pitt and the Panthers' highest ranked ESPN 100 commit since Steven Adams (6th – 2012) and James Robinson (2012 – 43rd).
He joins an impressive recruiting class featuring All-Ohio forward John Hugley, four-star wing and two-time state champion Noah Collier, emerging three-star center Max Amadasun and Odukale, the top player out of the state of Massachusetts.
Jeffress Recruiting Rankings
247 Sports – 58
Rivals – 75
ESPN Top 100 – 33 (2021)
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