The NBA Finals have not even begun but it is already time for most of the league to start preparing for next season. The lottery will be held on May 12th, the final deadline for early entry withdrawal is June 16th, and the draft will take place on June 26th/27th. We will spend the next several weeks interviewing as many members of this year’s draft class as possible. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel continues our coverage by chatting with Mississippi State F DJ Jeffries about winning an NIT title and what it would mean to him to get drafted.
In the 2019 Jordan Brand Classic you scored 7 PTS in a 7-PT win: which of your fellow honorees impressed you the most (Anthony Edwards/Trayce Jackson-Davis/Tyrese Maxey/other)? Ant-Man played great, as did Tre Mann/Maxey/so many others.
You grew up in Mississippi and originally committed to Kentucky before deciding to attend Memphis: what was it like to be recruited by John Calipari, and why did you de-commit? Calipari is 1 of the greatest coaches of all-time so even as a 17-year-old kid I knew that it was an honor to be recruited by him. However, Memphis was more convenient for me so I decided to stay home and go there.
You started 13 games as a freshman and averaged 10.8 PPG before missing the rest of the season with a torn left PCL: how bad was your injury, and how were you able to get back onto the court? It was bad: I did not need surgery, but I was sidelined for 3-4 months, and then COVID hit around the same time. I just worked out a lot to get my knee healthy and get back onto the court. I felt that I was ready physically, but it was an adjustment mentally because it was always in the back of my mind.
In the 2021 NIT title game you had 15 PTS/5 BLK in win over Mississippi State: what did it mean to you to win a title? Even though it was not the NCAA tourney it was still great to win a title and give the school a banner to hang up in the arena. Some people do not view the NIT as anything special, but it was a great feeling to be a part of history.
That spring you decided to transfer: why did you choose Mississippi State, and was it weird to join a team who you had just defeated for a championship? It was not “weird” to me…but I can see why people might consider it a bit of an odd move. I had a lot of distractions at the time and Starkville is just a couple of hours from where I grew up. I was able to get away from home and that helped me grow/mature as a man and focus on basketball.
In the 2023 NCAA tourney you had a 1-PT loss to Pitt and in the 2024 NCAA tourney you lost to Michigan State: what is the biggest difference between the regular season and the postseason? The regular season is a feeling-out process where you can win a couple of games or lose a couple of games. In the postseason you need to focus on the little things because any 1 of them can affect the game. You have to play hard for 40 minutes because everyone is fighting for their own goal to win a title: you have to be focused and do whatever it takes to win.
The SEC will be getting 2 new members this fall in Oklahoma/Texas: any thoughts on conference realignment? It is a big deal. Those are 2 great programs so I think they will make the SEC an even better conference. It is also big for the NCAA to expand the size of the best leagues: I think the fans will be excited to see so many teams that are great at so many different sports (basketball/football/etc.).
In your 9 career games with 5+ AST your teams went 9-0: do you think it is just a coincidence or do you think that your team is unbeatable when you pass the ball more? The numbers do not lie! I guess when I am a playmaker it is good for the team. I try to look out for everyone else so when everyone eats it makes me feel better about spreading the wealth. If my team wins the game then I do not care if I go scoreless.
Your cousins Chandler/Dedric/KJ Lawson have all played college or pro basketball: who is the best athlete in the family? I would have to say myself, of course, but all those guys are unbelievable athletes. They set the foundation and I look up to them. We have built a bond over time and I am proud of each and every 1 of them.
What would it mean to you to get drafted, and what is the plan if you do not get drafted? It would mean the world to me. Since I was a kid I have dreamed about getting to the NBA despite going through some adversity. Even if the draft does not work out, I know that God has a plan for me, be it the G-League or overseas. I will just hope for the best and if I get the opportunity then I will give it my all.