DES MOINES, IOWA - High school basketball standouts Karl Madison, a 5-foot 10-inch guard from Springfield, Ill.; Rayvonte Rice, a 6-3 guard from Champaign, Ill., and Jeremy Jeffers, a 6-6 guard from Wilson, N.C., have signed national letters of intent indicating they will join the Drake men's basketball program.
Second-year Drake coach Mark Phelps was enthusiastic about the potential of the incoming recruiting class.
"We are extremely excited to announce the signing of three terrific young men that will be freshman here at Drake next fall," said Phelps. "Karl Madison, Jeremy Jeffers, and Rayvonte Rice are all outstanding individuals and talented basketball players.
"Each of these young men exemplify the type of student-athlete we want to recruit to Drake University. They excel in the classroom, are young men of high character and integrity, and each will have an opportunity to make an immediate impact in our program. These three men collectively will provide an infusion of length, speed, athleticism and scoring on the perimeter for our basketball team."
A point guard, Madison earned first-team all-league honors after averaging 21.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.4 steals as a junior at Lamphier High School. He shot 42.7 percent from the floor, including 30.6 percent from three-point range. He collected season highs of 32 points and six rebounds against Chatham Glenwood Jan. 9, 2009, and Jacksonville Feb. 27, 2009.
Madison became his high school's first Division I player since Richard McBride signed with Illinois in 2003. Madison played for the St. Louis Eagles AAU team.
"Karl is a court-savvy point guard with a high basketball IQ whose speed and quickness will be a welcome addition for us," Phelps added. "While running the team is his strongest attribute, his toughness, competitive nature, ball handling, defense and scoring ability also make him a standout among his peers. Additionally, Karl is in the top five academically in his high school class."
Rice was named most valuable player of the 2009 Illinois Class 3A State Tournament after leading Centennial High School to the 2009 Illinois Class 3A state championship. He earned third team all-state honors as a junior by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association after leading the team to a 32-1 record in 2008-09, including the Big 12 Conference title with a 13-0 record.
He was a two-time first team Champaign News-Gazette All-Area selection as well as a two-time All-Big 12 Conference performer. Rice averaged 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.4 assists in 2008-09, while shooting 53 percent from floor. He also started as sophomore, averaging 15.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals. During the summer he played for the Illinois Stars AAU team.
"Rayvonte is a powerful, explosive guard," said Phelps. "His versatility and physical strength make him a threat at all three levels on the court. He is an excellent three point shooter, he is explosive off the dribble and is a very effective scorer in the low post.
"Rayvonte also is a demonstrated winner as he played a major role making key plays for his high school team as they won the state championship in Illinois during his junior year."
Jeffers played for the North Carolina Flight AAU team which finished eighth out of 184 teams at the 2009 AAU National Tournament. He also was named to the all-tournament team at the Big Shots AAU Tournament this past July in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Jeffers averaged 16.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.1 steals while leading Greenfield High School to a 31-6 record in 2008-09, en route to advancing to the semifinal round of the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A Tournament.
He scored a career-high 25 points against Cresset Christian in the quarterfinal round of the 2009 state tournament. He earned first team all-area honors by the Wilson Daily Times and also was a first-team all-conference choice.
"Jeremy is a versatile wing with excellent court vision for a player his size. He is a terrific passer and ball handler and an excellent three point shooter," Phelps said. "His height, length, and athleticism also allow him to be very effective at slashing to the basket to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. Jeremy is a perfect fit for our open court style of play. Jeremy also is an all-state soccer selection and led his team to the state soccer championship in North Carolina this fall.
"Each of these young men are from terrific families and are enjoyable to be around. We are looking forward to joining together with Karl, Jeremy, and Rayvonte and their families to help them reach their academic and basketball goals here at Drake University."
