Texas Southern stars want to reverse trend of HBCU players not making it to the NBA

NASHVILLE, Tennessee — Growing up, Demontrae Jefferson was almost always the smallest guy on the court. But even at 5-foot-7, he dominated the playgrounds of Milwaukee. Now his aspirations are bigger.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the NBA,” said Jefferson, who’s featured in a mixtape that has more than 3 million views on YouTube. “The knock on me is my height. So when I play guys that are 6-1, 6-2, I have to show that they can’t guard me.”

Trayvon Reed — at 7-feet-2 — was always the biggest guy on the court, so NBA aspirations were always a given. Even on a troubled road that’s taken him to three college programs in four years, those dreams never faded.

“To play in the NBA, that’s the reason why I’m doing this,” Reed said. “People have always told me you’re so big, you’ll be in the NBA one day. I just hope that I can get a shot.”

Reed’s height and a wide wingspan will earn the junior an NBA look one day. Jefferson, despite his size, will get a look just for the way he’s dominated his position in almost every game he’s played this year (which has included averaging 24.2 points against the four ranked schools — Gonzaga, Kansas, Baylor and TCU — that Texas Southern has played this year).



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