When in junior high, Jefferson accompanied his parents on a missionary trip to Africa. With them, they brought clothes, shoes and toys to distribute. Today, he still remembers the trip fondly.

“It was amazing,” Jefferson said. “I think it helped me appreciate other people and cultures and how beautiful the world is.”

As he got older and developed a more serious interest in basketball, he couldn’t go with his parents on those trips as much, but he still lived by the values instilled in him.

While they were happy that their son had an interest in basketball, the Jeffersons never thought much would come of it. They wouldn’t even let Richard have a basketball hoop outside their house in Phoenix, Arizona because they thought it made too much noise. But when Richard was a junior in high school and colleges started calling, they knew his interest in basketball was more than just a hobby.

“They were happy,” said Jefferson. “Once they realized that I was serious and that schools were interested, they really started helping me pursue my dream. Luckily we had good people around us giving us advice. When they saw I could get a scholarship, they were so excited.”

It turned out that Richard chose the University of Arizona and was able to remain close to home. His parents were huge supporters and came to all of his games. Jefferson then set his sites on playing in the NBA.

While a junior at Arizona, it became obvious that Jefferson’s chances of being drafted by the NBA that summer were pretty favorable. So, the Wildcat had to make one of the toughest decisions of his young life – enter the Draft or stay in school for his senior year. “It was such a tough decision for me,” Jefferson said.

“I really thought things through before I made a decision.”

There were several factors that he had to consider.

For starters, in three years at Arizona, Jefferson was part of a basketball program that celebrated much success. The team reached the NCAA Tournament three times. They made it to the 2001 NCAA Championship Game but lost to Duke.

In his junior season, Jefferson was named to the All-Final Four Team after averaging 11.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. He was at the top of his game and just missed adding a Championship Title to his basketball resume.

So it was natural to think, ‘how good are our chances next year if I stay?’ And that’s exactly what he struggled with.

“I thought about staying,” Jefferson said. “I talked to the NBA, my coaches and a lot of the other players. I knew that other guys were going to be leaving. I wasn’t basing my decision on what they were doing, but I understood the chances of us improving and getting back to the Final Four really diminished knowing that one or two other players were going to leave.”

In addition, Jefferson also took into consideration the possibility of him having a superb year, personally, as a senior.

“I knew that I would get a lot of individual accolades if I stayed, but I really wasn’t about that,” he said. “I was about winning and playing at the highest level.”

The decision was made. He was going to enter the 2001 NBA Draft. Despite being projected to go in the first round, Jefferson was not invited to New York to attend the Draft. As it turned out, he was the 13th pick overall and highest draftee selected without an invitation.

Now, seven months later, Jefferson finds himself on a first place team playing alongside arguably the best point guard in the league. Has winning helped his transition from college to the NBA?

“Definitely,” Jefferson answered. “The fact that this team is winning has helped tremendously. My best friends in the world are back in Arizona. I grew up there and went to college there, so to leave and come 3,000 miles away was tough.”

Luckily for the 22 year old, one of his best friends from school decided to take a year off and keep his friend company in New Jersey.

“He has helped me get settled,” Jefferson said. “At least I have him to hang out with. I didn’t know anyone on this side of the country.”

Jefferson’s rookie campaign thus far has been impressive. He’s averaging 8.3 points, 1.8 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 23.0 minutes per game. He has become the Nets solid sixth man. Head Coach Byron Scott was enthusiastic about Jefferson early on. Now, having seen him play in 41 games, the coach admits that even he is pleasantly surprised with the rookie’s immediate impact.

“I don’t know if I thought it would be this quickly, but I knew he would have an impact,” Scott said. “Just watching this young man’s talent, watching him on the floor and his work ethic, I knew that he was going to have an excellent rookie year.”

The 6-7 forward has displayed extreme athleticism on both ends of the floor. Conducive to the quick, up-tempo style of ball the team displays on the court, Jefferson fits in perfectly.

“The thing I love about RJ is that he can do it on both ends,” said Scott. “He can guard people, he can put the ball on the floor and he can score. He’s very unselfish. He’s a good passer. Richard is a very good all-around basketball player who, I think, is going to get much better.”

The Nets early success may have surprised some but not the rookie. Heading into the season, Jefferson was excited about the team and its potential.

“We have Jason Kidd and I know what he can do,” Jefferson said. “When I looked at the type of players the team had here, what Jason brings to the table and what I believe I could bring to the table, I knew we were going to be a very, very good team.”

In a short amount of time, Jefferson has become a consistent contributor off the bench. He started three games, scoring in double figures in each of them. Not coincidentally, all three games resulted in Nets victories. Jefferson knows what is expected of him from his coaches and teammates and uses each opportunity on the floor to meet those expectations. Realizing that his minutes as a reserve will vary from game to game, the rookie treats each time as if it were his last.

“I’m starting to get an understanding of how to come off the bench and contribute,” he said. “So much of it depends on how well the starters are playing. If they’re playing well, my minutes are going to be less. If they’re struggling, I’m going to get a little more. The more games I play, the more I will understand how to maximize my minutes.”

One of the more admirable qualities about the rookie is his level of maturity, which is probably due in large part to his upbringing. After experiencing much success in his young life, he still remains grounded. These days, he mostly hangs out at home playing video games and ping-pong. When it comes to his basketball game, he’s confident, but not arrogant.

The Nets have to be thrilled with Jefferson. He has done everything expected of him and then some. He’s a good player and a good person.

“I’m excited to be here and be contributing as a rookie,” Jefferson said. “Hopefully we can continue this pace and get better.”