Damien Jefferson Declares for 2020 NBA Draft

OMAHA, Neb. – Creighton men's basketball forward Damien Jefferson has submitted his name for consideration in the 2020 NBA Draft. Jefferson still has the option to return to school for his final season of eligibility after going through the evaluation process by league executives.

"After talking it over with my family and coaches, I have decided to enter my name into the 2020 NBA Draft," said Jefferson. "I look forward to going through this process with my support system. Throughout this process I will still maintain my college eligibility."

A native of East Chicago, Ind., Jefferson averaged 9.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while starting 29-of-30 appearances. Jefferson's 165 overall rebounds tied for the Creighton lead, and he ranked second on the team with 50 offensive rebounds. The versatile forward ranked seventh in the BIG EAST in field goal percentage and was 15th in the league in rebounds per game. In conference action Jefferson shot 59.9 percent from the floor to rank fourth in the BIG EAST, including 66.1 percent from two-point range. Jefferson had a pair of SportsCenter Top 10 plays -- both vs. Seton Hall -- to help the Bluejays sweep the league's preseason favorite.

Jefferson is the third Creighton underclassman to declare for the 2020 NBA Draft, joining teammates Ty-Shon Alexander and Denzel Mahoney. Alexander has indicated his intent to remain in the draft, while Mahoney is still weighing his options.

Five former Creighton student-athletes have spent time in the NBA each of the past two seasons – Kyle Korver, Anthony Tolliver, Doug McDermott, Justin Patton and Khyri Thomas.

Creighton finished the 2019-20 season with a 24-7 record, winning a share of its first BIG EAST title. The Bluejays were ranked seventh in the year-end Associated Press poll. Early preseason polls have Creighton as a potential top-10 team for the 2020-21 season.

The 2020 NBA Draft is scheduled to take place on June 25 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Players Mentioned

Ty-Shon Alexander

Damien Jefferson

Denzel Mahoney

Related Videos