COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Ballyhooed rising high school senior Al Jefferson said Saturday that he plans on giving a verbal commitment to Arkansas when he visits campus Tuesday.

Jefferson, a 6-foot-9 261-pound post sequoia, is a native of Prentiss, Miss., and averaged 30 points and 18 rebounds for Prentiss High School as a junior. He's considered one of the top five players in the Class of 2004 by most recruiting analysts.

Jefferson chose Stan Heath's Razorbacks over LSU, Florida and Alabama.

"Coach Heath, it's just his second year there and he's trying to build the team," Jefferson said. "I want to help build it up. I've always been an Arkansas fan."

Jefferson is the latest in a recruiting splurge for Heath, who has a stacked incoming freshman class that includes Top 10 recruit Olu Famutimi, 7-footer Julius Lamptey and local standout Ronnie Brewer Jr., son of former Arkansas star Ronnie Brewer.

There's a chance, however, that Jefferson may not end up on campus. His size has already caught the eye of NBA scouts, who've been sizing him up here the past two days at the USA Basketball men's Under-19 National Team trials.

But for now, Jefferson says he's certain he's going to Arkansas to be part of Heath's rebuilding process.

"Right now, as we speak, I'm 100 percent going to college," Jefferson said. "I don't know what will happen between now and then. But if I go (to the NBA), I want to be real high -- top five, top 10."

Jefferson has received somewhat of a wake-up call at the U.S. trials. He struggled on the first day with the thin mountain air and the presence of physical bodies down low. But he's come on, showcasing a few solid post-up moves.

The opinions among the NBA scouts vary, as Jefferson's size is attractive but his game is still raw.

One scout said he's not as good as Kendrick Perkins, Travis Outlaw and James Lang, three of the big men who've entered the current draft straight out of high school.

One college assistant referred to Jefferson as a "monster," saying he's considered with Texas commitment LaMarcus Aldridge and Atlanta native Dwight Howard as rising seniors who could end up jumping to the NBA.

The Razorbacks went 9-19 last season, but Heath's recruiting momentum appears to have the program moving out of the SEC basement. Arkansas returns its leading scorer, sophomore Jonathan Modica (11.5 ppg), who is playing well in trying out for the Under-19 team this weekend.

Pete Thamel is a freelance writer based in Dallas and a frequent contributor to ESPN.com and ESPN Magazine. He can be reached at vpthamel@yahoo.com.