Jammin' with Ja'Ron
1/18/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Say this for Ja'Ron Jefferson: he's a quick learner.
When asked by local television reporter Jeff Lasky last week about the significance of the then-looming showdown between the Bobcats and Grizzlies, Jefferson said, "All I know is I think it's a big deal here, I'll have to tell you more next week."
All Jefferson did in his first 'Cat-Griz game was score 25 points, grab four rebounds, get five steals, and hit the game-winning three-pointer with less than a second left to lift Montana State to a win over its arch-rival.
Jefferson's vantage point this week is completely different. "It's a huge rivalry," he said. "It's a battle, and intense game. The fans love it. You have to win that game, if you don't win any other game all year you have to win that one, or it wouldn't be very much fun."
Jefferson has emerged on both ends of the floor as one of Montana State's steadiest players. "He is really raising his game," said MSU coach Mick Durham, "and he's doing it defensively as well as offensively. He is really playing well."
Here is a closer look at the reigning Big Sky Conference Player of the Week...
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FAVORITE SPORT IN HIGH SCHOOL: It was actually track and field. I did the long jump. My best jump was around 24-feet.
WHAT IS IN YOUR IPOD RIGHT NOW: Actually, I haven't bought one yet. I'm saving up for it.
THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN JC AND DI BASKETBALL: The competition is great. There are so many great shooters in this league. In JC you can rest a little sometimes on defense, but here you have to be on your toes the whole game. You can't take a single possession off.
FAVORITE PRO TEAM: The Miami Heat, just since Shaq has been playing for them.
BEST PLAYER YOU'VE PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST: Ronnie Price (of Utah Valley State).
SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT WOULD SURPRISE THEM: I get very nervous before all of our games. I get real anxious and antsy, and I'm like, 'Let's just start the game.'
SOONERS OR COWBOYS (Ja'Ron is an Oklahoma City native): Sooners. I think I'm over (the Orange Bowl), but I'm still a little depressed, because it's the second year in a row that's happened (a loss in the National Championship game). I'm hoping they can win it next year, but now (USC quarterback) Matt Leinart is coming back, so I don't know.
BEST THING ABOUT GROWING UP A MINISTER'S SON: Everybody thinks you're an angel.
WORST THING ABOUT GROWING UP A MINISTER'S SON: I had to act a certain way all the time. If I didn't, if I talked in church or something, people would tell on me and I'd get in trouble.
PRE-GAME MEAL: It depends on where we eat. If it's Perkins, normally I get the Club Deluxe.
When asked by local television reporter Jeff Lasky last week about the significance of the then-looming showdown between the Bobcats and Grizzlies, Jefferson said, "All I know is I think it's a big deal here, I'll have to tell you more next week."
All Jefferson did in his first 'Cat-Griz game was score 25 points, grab four rebounds, get five steals, and hit the game-winning three-pointer with less than a second left to lift Montana State to a win over its arch-rival.
Jefferson's vantage point this week is completely different. "It's a huge rivalry," he said. "It's a battle, and intense game. The fans love it. You have to win that game, if you don't win any other game all year you have to win that one, or it wouldn't be very much fun."
Jefferson has emerged on both ends of the floor as one of Montana State's steadiest players. "He is really raising his game," said MSU coach Mick Durham, "and he's doing it defensively as well as offensively. He is really playing well."
Here is a closer look at the reigning Big Sky Conference Player of the Week...
------------------------------
FAVORITE SPORT IN HIGH SCHOOL: It was actually track and field. I did the long jump. My best jump was around 24-feet.
WHAT IS IN YOUR IPOD RIGHT NOW: Actually, I haven't bought one yet. I'm saving up for it.
THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN JC AND DI BASKETBALL: The competition is great. There are so many great shooters in this league. In JC you can rest a little sometimes on defense, but here you have to be on your toes the whole game. You can't take a single possession off.
FAVORITE PRO TEAM: The Miami Heat, just since Shaq has been playing for them.
BEST PLAYER YOU'VE PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST: Ronnie Price (of Utah Valley State).
SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT WOULD SURPRISE THEM: I get very nervous before all of our games. I get real anxious and antsy, and I'm like, 'Let's just start the game.'
SOONERS OR COWBOYS (Ja'Ron is an Oklahoma City native): Sooners. I think I'm over (the Orange Bowl), but I'm still a little depressed, because it's the second year in a row that's happened (a loss in the National Championship game). I'm hoping they can win it next year, but now (USC quarterback) Matt Leinart is coming back, so I don't know.
BEST THING ABOUT GROWING UP A MINISTER'S SON: Everybody thinks you're an angel.
WORST THING ABOUT GROWING UP A MINISTER'S SON: I had to act a certain way all the time. If I didn't, if I talked in church or something, people would tell on me and I'd get in trouble.
PRE-GAME MEAL: It depends on where we eat. If it's Perkins, normally I get the Club Deluxe.
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