Amile Jefferson signs with Duke

School officials said Tuesday night that Star high school forward Amile Jefferson signed his letter of intent to play for Duke this fall. Coach Mike Krzyzewski says Jefferson is "a perfect young man for Duke University."

Jefferson, a 6-foot-7, 190-pound power forward, was rated the 25th-best player in the country for 2012 by ESPN after he averaged 19.9 points per game and 10.2 rebounds and 2.7 steals as a senior for Friends' Central School in Philadelphia and he was named a McDonald's All-American.

Jefferson chose Duke over North Carolina State, Kentucky, Villanova, Ohio State and Temple. He signed on the last day of the spring signing period and ultimately decided on the school that he felt was the best fit for him.

"In the end, I wanted to choose the school that I thought fit me best on and off the court," Jefferson said at a press conference at his Philadelphia-area high school. "I think I made a great choice. Duke is a prestigious school, a school that's going to challenge me on and off the court. I'm excited about that challenge. It's something I wanted."

Jefferson joins a Duke frontcourt that returns seniors Mason Plumlee and Ryan Kelly. He told reporters on Tuesday that he was excited to play for such "an amazing coach" and that he hoped to "learn from him, feed off his energy." He should be able to get immediate playing time with the Blue Devils. Duke lost Miles Plumlee to graduation and desperately needed another talented big man.