Former high-flyer Richard Jefferson to referee NBA Summer League action

Richard Jefferson became somewhat of a journeyman toward the latter stages of his career, which is a shame. Those who saw him play with the New Jersey Nets in the early aughts knew a different player. Jefferson was one of the best slashers in the game. He had a knack for beating up the rim as a dunker but could still crush the long ball with a beautiful shot from beyond the arch.

Jefferson was a player ahead of his time and he should be remembered as such, but the NBA star-turned-ESPN-commentator is apparently looking for another way to be remembered, and that's as a referee.

Who knows how far that journey will lead him, but right now, he's going to take the baby step of being a Summer League ref for a quarter.

The Athletic is reporting that Jefferson will be an official for the second quarter of Monday's Summer League matchup between the New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers.