Former MC Hoops Standout Clarence Jeffery Pursues Pro Basketball Dreams

Clarence Jeffery

NBA stars like Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki and LeBron James are back in training camps after a five-month lockout over money issues came to an end. Nationally televised league play begins on Christmas Day.

With much less media fanfare, former Mississippi College hoops standout Clarence Jeffery is sizing up his return to the hardwood in January after playing in small pro leagues in the Philippines and Mongolia the past two seasons.

Unlike NBA players averaging $4 million in annual salaries, Jeffery failed to get rich playing overseas. He sees his basketball career in terms of a Christian ministry and an opportunity to soak up different cultures far from his home in Madison County, Mississippi.

The December 2009 Mississippi College kinesiology graduate doesn’t have an agent, but he’s turning to God’s help in making his next big decision regarding his third pro hoops season. “There are two teams in Mongolia right now trying to persuade me to play for them this season. I will pray about the situation and ask God to place me on the team where I can contribute the most.”

Regardless of what happens, “I’m truly blessed to be where I am. I thank God for giving me hope when I gave up on myself. I never thought playing for a sports ministry on a summer tour would lead to becoming a professional athlete,” said the 26-year-old Mississippian. “I’m truly grateful and encourage everyone to continue to chase their dreams.”

MC Coach Don Lofton recruited Jeffery to the Christian university after he attended Mississippi Valley State and Holmes Community College. The Choctaws basketball coach fondly recalls his former star player. “He did a great job for us during his career and we were able to win a lot of games. He can really jump and has great speed.”

But what really impressed Lofton and others at Mississippi College was his tireless work ethic and Christian faith. “While he was a student and playing for us he was always working at his church and loved to work with kids,” Lofton said. “He is a great example of our motto - as he plays, acts and lives like a champion.”

MC Athletic Director Mike Jones, the former basketball coach, remembers Jeffery as “a great leader and very strong in his faith. He was a pleasure to coach and be around.”

During 27 games in NCAA Division III competition during his senior season in 2008-2009, Jeffery averaged 11.1 points, led the team in rebounds and was named to the American Southwest Conference All-East second team. That season, the Choctaws compiled a solid 20-7 record.

Back in Mississippi the past three months visiting family and friends, Jeffery isn’t all about the hoops scene home or abroad. In his spare time in Mongolia, the 6’2’’ point guard worked as a substitute health and physical education teacher at the American School of Ulaanbaatar after signing a one-year pro league contract.

Being an American tourist and shooting loads of pictures isn’t in his DNA. Still, Jeffery managed to visit Mongolia’s biggest attraction, a huge silver statue of Ghengis Khan with a museum and restaurant inside, and witness some of the country’s amazing waterfalls.

Despite being in a nation of 2.9 million people with 20 different ethnic groups, and very few speaking English, Jeffery adjusted to the overseas culture shock. He shined as a point guard for the new Mill House Avatar basketball team in Mongolia.

Playing in the Nissan Premier League or Mongolian Basketball Association, Jeffery finished third in the league in scoring with 18.6 points per game, and averaged six rebounds and 2.4 steals per game. He was named to the league’s All-Star team, was the slam dunk champ and helped his team reach the finals.

His two years playing at Mississippi College built the foundation for his pro career. MC’s No. 24 discovered he needed to sacrifice some things in Mississippi to pursue his goals far away from the comforts of home.

“I’d eventually sell my car, quit my job and give up my apartment trying to chase the lifelong dream of becoming a professional basketball player,” Jeffery says. First stop for the former MC Choctaw was suiting up for a season with a little-known league in Cebu City in the Philippines.

His debut in the Philippines was awesome. The former Madison Central High star averaged 39.4 points per game, 3.6 assists and 4.2 steals. By season’s end, the Mississippian was chosen the league’s MVP and Best Import or a player who’s not part Filipino. In a nation of 98 million people that’s the world’s largest producer of coconuts and the third largest producer of bananas, Jeffery proved he belonged in the Southeast Asian nation.

Jeffery sparked his sports ministry team that advanced to the quarter-finals of the league’s tournament. While he played ball thousands of miles from home, folks in the Philippines got acquainted with Mississippi College when they watched his Choctaws highlight reel on YouTube.

Besides weighing basketball opportunities overseas, the Mississippi College graduate says he’s been invited to several tryouts in the NBA’s Development League. But playing hoops in other countries has its advantages. Jeffery says he enjoys traveling to different countries and “I like seeing the different styles of play.”