Amile Jefferson: Why Star Recruit Needs to Go to Kentucky

Amile Jefferson is one of the most sought after college basketball recruits in the country. While he has yet to make a decision, he would be wise to follow in the footsteps of other super freshman before him and become a Kentucky Wildcat.

Jefferson is a 6'7" forward with the skill set to play either in the post or on the wing and is ESPN's 25th ranked prospect overall. Being the main catch in a recruiting class for the likes of Villanova or North Carolina State—schools Jefferson is considering—may be an alluring concept, but ultimately Jefferson would gain more by signing with Kentucky.

By signing with Kentucky, Jefferson would be surrounded by fellow NBA-caliber prospects. Kentucky has already signed stud 5-star recruits Nerlens Noel, Alex Poythress and Archie Goodwin—Jefferson would once again give Kentucky one of the most dangerous starting fives in all of college basketball.

Jefferson is supremely talented, his versatile game makes him an interesting prospect. However, he still has a lot of development to go before he is really NBA-ready. No coach in the country has a better track record with young NBA prospects than John Calipari.

There's a reason the best freshman in the country flock to Calipari year after year—he knows how to develop players. Calipari knows a player's draft stock and how to improve it. Jefferson will have a great adviser in Calipari when his first season at Kentucky is over as to whether or not he is ready to make the jump.

In the end, Kentucky will offer Jefferson the most spotlight. He won't be the star on the team, but he will get the chance to show NBA scouts how he fits on a team. A team that will most likely make a deep run in March—which never hurts a player's draft stock.

If Jefferson wants to give himself the best opportunity to wow scouts with his game, get the most exposure possible, get an honest evaluation of his talent and possibly win a championship along the way, his best option is to sign with Calipari and the Wildcats.