Earlier this week, the Alaska Aces had found themselves without an import heading into the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, as reinforcement Octavius Ellis had to return to the States due to family matters.
But just in the nick of time, the Aces were able to find what they needed, bringing in Cory Jefferson just this Thursday to fill in the gaping hole bore by the 24-year-old Ellis.
And in Alaska’s very first assignment Saturday night at the Cuneta Astrodome, the Baylor product immediately made impact in the Aces’ 107-79 dismantling of the Globalport Batang Pier.
The 26-year-old, who last played for the Austin Spurs in the NBA D-League, led Alaska with 28 points on 11-of-19 shooting along with 14 rebounds — doing it all despite still experiencing jet lag.
“Hopefully I take care of it tonight and hopefully get a good night’s sleep,” said Jefferson, who arrived Thursday morning at 10:30am.
Asked how his first game went, Jefferson was positive about the way he was able to show up for Alaska, saying that head coach Alex Compton just ordered him to play his game.
“It went pretty well,” Jefferson assessed.
“He just told me to play my game. Bring whatever I can to the team, athleticism, blocking shots and rebounding and doing what I can on offense.”
Although he has only been with the team for two days, the former Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets member has nothing but praise for the Alaska franchise — his first-ever team overseas.
“It’s good out here. It’s a pretty good team, they know how to play the game of basketball, it’s a great organization,” shared the 60th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft about the franchise.
With his first game in the books, Jefferson hopes to become the Aces’ foreign reinforcement for the remainder of the conference, and he also aims to bring the 2017 Commissioner’s Cup for the team.
“I feel I’m here for good. I don’t plan on flying away right now so I might as well win a championship,” the 6-foot-9 native of Tacoma, Washington vowed.
