Even the casual observer who happens to wander into a gym while Moriah Jefferson is playing would be immediately struck by the UConn incoming freshman?s artistic jumper and absolutely breathtaking cross-over dribble that has left more than a few defenders reaching out into dead air. ?I like defense,? said Jefferson during a break at the U.S. U-18 training camp at ESPN?s Wide World of Sports complex. Don?t mistake Jefferson?s attention to detail on the defensive side as an indication that she is not a gifted offensive player. ESPN ranked her as the top guard in her high school class and second nationally only behind fellow UConn incoming freshman Breanna Stewart. In her five seasons playing for the Texas Home Educators Sports Association Riders, Jefferson scored 3,354 points. Jefferson, Stewart and Morgan Tuck are all members of the U-18 team which will play in the FIBA Americas U-18 Championship for Women, a qualifier for the 2013 U-19 World Championships. When USA Basketball held its trials last month in Colorado Springs, Jefferson was told straight up what she needed to improve on in order to make the U-18 squad. Jefferson?s effort and approach at the trials and during this training camp have impressed her coaches and teammates. While Tuck is heading back to Illinois for a couple of days after leaving Florida so she can take part in her high school graduation, and Stewart won?t be arriving at UConn for summer session until the middle of June, Jefferson isn?t waiting that long. While relaxation and sightseeing were atop her to-do list when she headed to New York, Turner decided to take a slight detour and made an unofficial visit to UConn.
Source: http://www.chron.com/news/article/UCONN-WOMEN-S-BASKETBALL-Defense-a-calling-card-3600408.php
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