Report: DJ Jeffries returning to Mississippi State for final season of eligibility

D.J. Jeffries will be a Bulldog once again next season. On Monday, Jon Rothstein broke the news on Twitter.

“DJ Jeffries tells me that he has officially decided to return to Mississippi State next season and use his additional year of eligibility,” Rothstein wrote.

DJ Jeffries tells me that he has officially decided to return to Mississippi State next season and use his additional year of eligibility. Averaged 8.8 PPG and 6.4 RPG last season.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) June 5, 2023

Mississippi State fans can now rejoice. The 6-foot-7 forward was a pivotal piece of the Bulldogs’ roster last season, averaging nine points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Jeffries shot 35.3% from the field and 26.6% from beyond the arc.

The former four-star recruit initially considered committing to Mississippi State out of high school but ultimately committed to play for Penny Hardaway at Memphis. He competed for the Tigers for two years, contributing 10.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per outing through 47 games.

Jeffries joined the Bulldogs in the 2021-22 transfer class, which racked up 2,388 combined points between Garrison Brooks (North Carolina), Shakeel Moore (North Carolina State), Rocket Watts (Michigan State) and, obviously, Jeffries.

Along with his teammates, Jeffries’ most recent season ended in March when Mississippi State fell to Pittsburgh in the NCAA Tournament. Last season was only the second time in 13 years the Bulldogs had made the Big Dance.

Jeffries evidently built something special with first-year head coach Chris Jans. Following Mississippi State’s loss, Jeffries only gave thanks to his coach.

“It just shows Coach knows what he is doing,” Jeffries said. “He’s been there multiple times, and he told me to trust him. We just had to believe in him and his plan. If you want to go to the NCAA Tournament, just come play for the Bulldogs and Coach Jans.”

Jeffries will take that advice himself for his final season of eligibility.