Amile Jefferson: Why Star Forward Can't Go Wrong Picking Duke

Five-star power forward Amile Jefferson is having a hard time deciding which college he'll be attending next fall, but he can't go wrong picking Duke.

Jefferson is one of the most highly sought-after recruits in the nation, and his choices have reportedly been narrowed down to five teams, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer: Duke, North Carolina State, Kentucky, Ohio State and Villanova are all in the mix.

All schools are excellent programs, and Jefferson will have a chance to make a major impact on the national stage no matter where he lands. But Duke is the clear-cut favorite in my mind for a couple of different reasons.

Academics

Duke is the highest-ranked school in terms of academics on Jefferson's list. According to USNews.com, Duke has the No. 10 school in the nation in that department. North Carolina State, Kentucky, Ohio State and Villanova don't even register in the top 100.

Jefferson says that academics are important to him, via the Philadelphia Inquirer: "I definitely had to take a look at Duke. The school offers a lot in terms of athletics and academics."

When asked how much early playing time factored into his decision, Jefferson responded: "That's one thing, but there are many other factors involved. I want to be comfortable with the coaches, the players, the academic situation."

It's clear that Jefferson—and likely his parents—value his education as highly as his basketball career. Duke provides the best avenue to pursue both at the highest levels.

Mike Krzyzewski

No disrespect to Mark Gottfried, John Calipari, Thad Matta or Jay Wright, but none of them are as accomplished as Krzyzewski at producing excellent ballplayers who are also excellent men.

There is a good reason why Krzyzewski has been chosen to represent the USA in the Olympics lately. His character and leadership are top-notch, trumped only by his ability to teach the game of basketball to impressionable young men.

Mothers and fathers know that when they send their children to Duke, they will be getting the best education possible—both on and off the court.

Krzyzewski has been coaching at Duke since 1980, producing four national titles, 11 Final Four appearances, 12 ACC titles and 13 ACC tournament championships. The way he has continuously brought top talent to the program year-in and year-out is a testament to his high character.

Whether or not Jefferson would be an immediate starter shouldn't be his main concern. He would be wise to forget about the other programs on his list and sign up with Coach K at Duke.

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