A shoulder injury has knocked Rondae Jefferson off the USA U17 team that will compete in Lithuania for the U17 World Championship.
“Rondae Jefferson getting hurt, I think he definitely would’ve made the team and would’ve been with us,” Team USA assistant Mike Jones, the head coach at DeMatha Catholic, told SNY.tv Wednesday after the roster was finalized at 12 players.
“He hurt his shoulder. Something with his labrum. He was definitely somebody we were looking forward to having.”
The 6-foot-7 Jefferson out of Chester (Pa.) had been excited about making Team USA for the first time.
“There’s nothing like it,” Jefferson told DelcoTimes.com. “You’re representing your country. It’s very special to have this opportunity.”
Jefferson averaged 12.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.7 blocked shots last year to help Chester (Pa.) win its second straight PIAA Class AAAA championship.
He holds numerous scholarship offers, and recently took an unofficial to Rutgers.
