Al Jefferson (born January 4, 1985 in Monticello, Mississippi) is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA.

Jefferson attended Prentiss High School in Prentiss, Mississippi from 2000–2004. In his senior year for the Bulldogs he averaged 42.6 points, 18 rebounds, and 7 blocks per game. He had earned a scholarship to attend the University of Arkansas to play with the Arkansas Razorbacks but opted out to enter the 2004 NBA Draft.

Al Jefferson was drafted with the 15th pick by the Boston Celtics in the 2004 NBA Draft, becoming the first high school player to be drafted by the Celtics (Kendrick Perkins was drafted by the Grizzlies, then traded to Boston on draft day in the 2003 NBA Draft). He played primarily as a power forward and averaged 6.7 points and 4.4 rebounds in 14.8 minutes per game during his rookie season. Jefferson's 2005–2006 season was widely considered a disappointment, mostly due to a series of ankle injuries and a torn meniscus in his right knee which limited him to playing in 59 games. He averaged 7.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in 18.0 minutes per game during his sophomore season.