Jeffrey Jordan earns a scholarship

[jman3134]

Jeff Jordan is beginning to prove that basketball ability really does run in the family.

Michael Jordan's son walked on at Illinois last year, but coach Bruce Weber said Thursday that the sophomore guard has earned a scholarship.

Jordan is averaging almost 10 minutes a game off the bench for No. 25 Illinois (16-3), which is enjoying a remarkable turnaround after going 16-19 last season. Jordan is averaging just over a point a game, but has become a key contributor on defense.

Jordan turned down a scholarship offer from Valparaiso to walk on with the Illini. He played about five minutes per game as a freshman.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketb ... y/11289592

This was a feel good story for me. Jeff worked hard to receive playing time last year and now is working as a defensive specialist on a clear cut NCAA tournament team. He could've taken the easy way and received plenty of time at Valpo. (and excellent coaching under Homer Drew) Not saying that is a bad option. But, he chose to work hard and put himself on a contender instead of trying to be the go-to scorer for a midmajor squad. Now that he has earned his scholarship, I hope he is able to crack a significant role in the rotation towards the end of this year and next year. (when Frazier and Trent are gone)

[Polynice4Pippen]

Gotta love Jeff not having an inflated sense of entitlement despite who his father is. Like jman said, Jeff came in and worked his butt off, did everything Weber asked of him in a humble manner like any other walk on and produced on the defensive end and thus earned a scholarship. And hopefully the best is yet to come for Jeff at Illinois, he's still just a sophomore.

[UrbanLegendMD]

I remember last year I was at the CRCE gy, and Jeff was shooting around with Calvin Brock and airballed badly twice in a row. My friend was like yep it's Illinois basketball for you. Good to see him working hard and growing as a player. Hopefully, he will get more minutes next year.

[THEmasterWAYNE]

I tell you what I like most about Jeff Jordan. Exactly the same thing that I liked most about Michael Jordan. Shot Selection. Shooting 54.2% from the field and 50% from downtown (made 1 of 2). See how tidy his statline is in each game http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/players/73291

MJ's boys will never fall in love with the 3pt-chucking, they'll always have that over the Kobe and LeBrons

[Storm Surge]

Does anyone find anything wrong with this? Instead of offering a poor kid a academic scholarship so he/she can even attend a university, they give a scholarship to the son of a multi-millionaire, and one of the richest athletes in history.

I'm sure MJ is penny pinching in order to pay for his son's college education.

[jman3134]

No because he earned the spot as a scholarship player. If you work your way into that position, you are just as if not more deserving than someone who is simply a talented high school player.

[bpayton34]

Jeffrey Jordan on Illini's Season

Jeff Jordan, University of Illinois sophomore and son of basketball legend Michael Jordan, talks to Jillian Jesk about the transition from being a walk-on to a scholarship athlete and learning from teammates like Chester Frazier. Jordan also talks about the Illini's season and his expectations for the Big Ten tournament.

http://www.mouthpiecesports.com/media/jeff-jordan-on-illini-season-19328/

[jman3134]

^ Nice find.

Jeff Jordan really progressed nicely as the season went along. I remember he had a breakaway steal against Michigan St. to tie the game for the Illini. Great defender, and his offensive game is coming along as well.