Through careful management of her practice and game time, Jefferson has been able to stay on the court and contribute this season.

“I’ve been basically trying to manage my injuries right now,” Jefferson said. “I’m trying to have a post-college career, so I’m trying to manage my health. I have to take time out of practice, days off, stuff like that.”

Only one of five players in program history to be a three-time captain, Jefferson rarely has been 100 percent for MSU.

Jefferson played her freshman season with a protective brace on her left shoulder that stopped her from lifting her arm above her head, forcing her essentially to rebound with one arm.

After undergoing surgery on the shoulder, Jefferson had to have her knee scoped after tearing her meniscus.

The most crushing blow came Nov. 4, 2007. In an exhibition game against Lake Superior State, Jefferson tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her right leg, forcing her to miss the entire 2007-08 season.

This past offseason, she underwent surgery again — this time for a torn ligament in her left knee — and now plays with a large brace.

Head coach Suzy Merchant and her staff have worked with Jefferson and team doctors and trainers to figure out the best way to handle Jefferson’s unique situation.

“More than anything, the coaching staff really doesn’t want me to be doing more than I need to be doing,” Jefferson said. “I’ve been here for five years, so mentally there’s a lot of things I already should understand. … Physically, they really want me to take reps off when I need to take reps off.”

Judging by the way Jefferson plays, you wouldn’t be able to tell what she’s gone through. Whether diving to the floor for a loose ball, stepping in and taking a charge or grabbing an important rebound, Jefferson always is making a play.

“It’s my last year, so the sense of urgency is there,” she said. “You don’t really think about being injured or anything like that. You just want to be out there in your last games you’re playing here in your college career.”

Always one of the team’s strongest leaders, Jefferson’s game is coming around lately, as well.

Against Penn State and Iowa last week, she scored double figures in back-to-back games for the first time all season. Entering Thursday’s game against Michigan, she was averaging 7.7 points and four rebounds per game.

“I feel like I’m playing my best basketball right now, just really starting to feel the rhythm of the game,” Jefferson said. “I’m hitting the peak of being in shape, so I think that the things we’ve been doing this year as far as managing my reps and my game time and practice have really worked out.”

Senior center Allyssa DeHaan, who said she’s looked up to Jefferson for all four years at MSU, has noticed an upturn in Jefferson’s game, as well.

“I think she’s really actually stepped it up in the last few weeks,” DeHaan said. “She’s getting in more in practice. We see her going for (offensive) boards, diving on the floor during games. It’s tough with her knee situation, but she’s giving it all she’s got.”

The approach and mental toughness Jefferson brings to the game continually has rubbed off on her teammates. Despite her injuries, Jefferson has played at a high enough level to become the 11th Spartan with 1,000 points and 600 rebounds. She also was named to the Big Ten’s All-Freshman team in 2006 and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2006-07 and 2008-09.

“To see the stuff she goes through with both knees, getting her knees drained before a game and the energy she brings every night to the game,” junior forward Cetera Washington said. “She forgets anything bad that happens and runs down to the other end to make up for it. Everything she battles through is just a big inspiration.”

If Merchant can count on Jefferson for anything, it’s the senior captain giving it her all.

“She’s hanging on,” Merchant said. “She’s dragging that leg a little bit but her heart and her enthusiasm are there.”