Villanova not giving up hope on Amile Jefferson

Will the Wildcats land the Philly star with their last remaining scholarship?

PHILADELPHIA -- Duke may be the favorite to land Amile Jefferson, but Villanova coach Jay Wright isn't bowing out quietly.

Armed with just one scholarship for the Class of 2012, Wright is hanging in there down to the very end on Jefferson, a 6-foot-8 forward from Philly Friends Central.

The Villanova coach was in attendance again Wednesday night when Friends Central lost to Westtown, 55-53, in a Friends Schools League playoff semifinal at Germantown Friends.

"It definitely means a lot to me to see him take time out of his schedule," Jefferson told FiveStarBasketball.com after putting up 26 points, 10 boards and two blocks in the loss. "They're in the middle of the season right now, really in the height of it."

Villanova is the hometown school and there is pressure in some quarters for him to stay home.

One of those people is 2012 Villanova signee Daniel Ochefu of Westtown, who grabbed 10 rebounds in the win .

"It's Pennsylvania, he's been here his whole life," the 6-foot-10 Ochefu said. "Coach Wright and his assistants, they are great guys. They know what they're doing."

He added: "I think it would be perfect for Villanova.He is always going to compete, he's a fighter. He always wants to win and get better."

While Ochefu himself is a post player, he imagines that Jefferson can play a variety of spots on the floor.

"You can put him on the perimeter or you can put him in the post," Ochefu said. "He's a matchup nightmare for most guys."

Still, sources close to the recruitment indicate Duke remains the favorite even though they entered the recruiting process late.

Jefferson has spoken glowingly of Duke and Coach K in recent weeks.

He remains in touch with coaches from the various schools recruiting him – Duke, N.C. State, Villanova, Ohio State, Kentucky and Uconn, and is expected to decide sometime after his season ends.

"Been talking to all of them a lot, two phone calls a week and I've been having good conversations with them," Jefferson said. “I'm really trying to decide, not even narrow down, just make the decision and hopefully it comes soon.”

For more from Adam Zagoria, check out ZAGSBLOG.com and follow him on Twitter: @AdamZagoria.

Harrison Sanford is a reporter for Fivestarbasketball.com. Follow him Twitter: @HarrisonSanford