2019 Olive Branch pair boasts Ole Miss offers

It didn't take high-major programs long to realize the abundance of young talent residing inside Olive Branch's gym.

Antavion Collum and D.J. Jefferies - two 6-foot-6 guards from the class of 2019 - picked up their first SEC offers from Ole Miss a few weeks ago. Both aren't old enough to have contact with college coaches but were informed about through Olive Branch coach Eric Rombaugh.

Still, the excitement of being on the radar of a major Division I program serves as motivation for both.

"It's a start," Collum said. "I'm not thinking about my recruitment that much right now since I'm a freshman but I'd like to get offered by Kentucky, North Carolina, schools like that."

The Rebels were the second offer for Jeffries, who also has Memphis and Southeast Missouri on his offer sheet.

Prior to the start of their high school basketball careers, the duo became known commodities on the AAU circuit. Both played for the Memphis Warriors AAU team up until 8th grade before heading their separate ways: Jeffries with Team Thad on the Under Armour Circuit and Collum with EYBL's We All Can Go.

Both bring size and a unique versatility in as freshman to a Conquistadors program looking to top a 14-15 record of a year ago. Their ability to score effectively from multiple spots on the floor is a skill they attribute to playing with older competition during the summer.

"I played up with the 15s (on Team Thad) because the 8th grade team didn't travel," Jeffries said. "I think I did pretty good. ... I can play anywhere, it really doesn't matter to me. I'll play wherever my coach needs me."

Added Collum: "I played up with the 16Us on We All Can Go in the summer. I got to play with (5-star power forward) Marvin Bagley and the competition was really good. I know how to play different guard spots."

Last week Andy Kennedy watched Olive Branch in workouts. Rombaugh used Collum as a point and shooting guard at times while Jeffries rotated in more as a swingman.

Collum and Jeffries recently visited Oxford for Homecoming weekend where they took in the Rebels football game against New Mexico State and saw the progress on The Pavilion, Ole Miss' new basketball arena which is set to open in January.

"It was pretty good, I liked it a lot," Jeffries said. "They have this tutoring center they showed us that was pretty cool."

Jeffries said his father has told him Florida, Missouri, Virginia and Alabama have recently inquired about his talents. His goal for his freshman year is to make more schools follow the trend of Ole Miss.

"It feels pretty good to have offers," he said. "I know there's more coming. I just have to stay humble."

The Conquistadors open the season with the Olive Branch Classic on Nov. 7.

Below are video highlights of both Jeffries and Collum from the summer circuit