Amile Jefferson, a 6-foot-7 McDonald’s All-American from Philadelphia has decided to commit to the University of Duke and become a Blue Devil.

Jefferson, who picked Duke over NC State, Kentucky, Ohio State and Villanova, will pair with fellow McDonald’s All-American Rasheed Sulamon to give Coach K a 2012 recruiting class ranked 11th in the country.

Jefferson averaged nineteen points and grabbed ten boards a game as a senior in high school, and was awarded Philadelphia’s Gatorade Player of the Year two years in a row. Many thought NC State was the front runner to land Jefferson. If he would have joined the NC State, it would have their fourth McDonald’s All-American in the 2012 class.

Jefferson said the fact that they didn’t have a player like him was a big factor in his decision, and that playing for Duke is, “a once and a lifetime opportunity”.

Considering Duke already missed out on Shabazz Muhammad and Tony Parker, both who decided to pick UCLA, this was a badly needed commitment. Especially given the fact Austin Rivers and Miles Plumley have moved on.

Jefferson has the height to play inside and the perimeter game to spot up from deep, however his body is still in the process of fully developing.

He had an extremely slender frame at the Mcdonald’s All-American game in March which could make things difficult at the next level. I had an opportunity to visit with him after the game and the last thing Amile told me, “I’ve got to get some meat on my bones”.

Once he does that, Coach K and his staff will undoubtedly turn Jefferson in to a weapon on both sides of the ball for the Blue Devils.