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RICHARD JEFFERSON GYMNASIUM On Aug. 17, 2007, former University of Arizona men's basketball player Richard Jefferson pledged to donate $3.5 million to the school's athletic department. Jefferson's donation was the lead gift towards phase two of a construction project that included a new $14 million volleyball/basketball practice facility. The "RJG" houses two full-court basketball courts running end to end, east to west, as well as four basketball cross courts and five volleyball cross courts. Drop down nets separate the main courts in order to add flexibility to the multi-use facility. The building is set 17 feet below ground in order to lessen the mass of the building that would be visible if the entire structure were to have been built at ground level. Even at its sunken level, the facility stands 30 feet above ground. "I am pleased and blessed to be able to make this gift to an institution that has done so much to help me," said Jefferson. "For an Arizona kid like me to be able to give something back to the University of Arizona is very special." The gift is one of the largest individual donations to the University of Arizona athletic department and is also believed to be the largest ever given by a current professional athlete to his alma mater. A native of Phoenix, Jefferson was a three-year letterwinner for the Wildcats from 1998-2001. During his 84-game career (77 starts), Jefferson averaged 11.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. He capped his career by leading Arizona to the 2001 national championship game. Along the way, Jefferson was an all-Midwest Regional and all-Final Four selection. He was the 13th overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, making him the sixth Lottery Pick in Arizona history. 5 PREVIOUS 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 NEXT BACK TO INDEX