Amile Jefferson Adds Much-Needed Athleticism to Duke Blue Devils

Amile Jefferson committed to Mike Krzyzewski and the Duke Blue Devils Tuesday evening, adding a new element to the teams' already talented roster.

Jefferson adds athleticism to the Blue Devil fold. The Blue Devils have every other role on their team filled. They have plenty of shooters, ball-handlers and rebounders for next season.

Coach K just needed a slasher to play on the wing, or power forward. Jefferson's lanky 6'8'' frame will provide that slashing presence to the perimeter-oriented Blue Devil offense. 

Let's take a look at Jefferson's game and how he fits into the Blue Devil gameplan. 

Adds Different Dimension

The Blue Devils were going to rely on perimeter scoring and post defense to win basketball games next year before they signed Jefferson. With Jefferson in Cameron next year, they will not have to rely on those dimensions as much. 

Jefferson does not shoot like a Seth Curry or possible redshirt Andre Dawkins, but he is a better penetrator. He is constantly in attack mode, using his face-up game to shoot over slower forwards. 

Ryan Kelly is Duke's starting power forward. Kelly's spot-up shooting ability will be complemented nicely by Jefferson's ability to run the floor. Bringing Jefferson off the bench to replace Kelly will make Duke faster and tougher to match up with. 

Jefferson does not necessarily fit Duke's offensive scheme at this point, but Coach K has plenty of time to mold his game. He has a ton of upside and time to learn the nuances of the Blue Devil attack.

At the very least, Jefferson will be a high-energy player off the Blue Devil bench. He will bolster their depth and make their second unit a lot more versatile, and dangerous. 

Defensive Presence

Jefferson needs to add strength to his 200-pound frame, but he will matchup nicely with the nation's athletic power forwards. 

North Carolina's James Michael McAdoo and North Carolina State's C.J. Leslie will be two of the ACC's most dangerous players next year. Jefferson has the length and quickness necessary to defend them. 

Jefferson's quickness and ability to matchup with power and small forwards will give Duke a lot of flexibility on the defensive end. Coach K can pull Kelly in favor of the athletic Jefferson when he needs a faster lineup on the court.

All of the nation's great teams have a power forward worth reckoning with. Kelly's strength coupled with Jefferson's athleticism will form a complete interior defender in Duke's rotation. 

In-State Victory

Keeping Jefferson away from N.C. State and Kentucky is a big deal. 

The Wolfpack bring in three McDonald's All-Americans to an already talented squad. Adding Jefferson would have made Mark Gottfried's squad a matchup nightmare for the Blue Devils.

The Wildcats add the nation's top prospect in Nerlens Noel, and three other notable recruits, along with N.C. State transfer Ryan Harrow. Kentucky is absurdly rich when it comes to young talent. Adding Jefferson would just make it worse for every other college basketball program. 

Duke added the missing link to their 2013 squad and kept his talents away from two of next year's premier programs.

That is a victory on two fronts.