Background
In 2005, Jerebko signed to play basketball at the University of Buffalo in his father"s hometown.
In 2005, Jerebko signed to play basketball at the University of Buffalo in his father"s hometown.
He was selected in the second round of the 2009 National Basketball Association draft by the Detroit Pistons, becoming the second Swedish-born basketball player (after Miles Simon) to be selected in the National Basketball Association draft. As a child growing up in Sweden, Jerebko was involved in many sports, but basketball was what he was best at. Having parents who played basketball was a good thing for Jerebko, because there was very little interest in the game among his friends.
Ultimately, he gave up a basketball scholarship for a professional career.
Europe
Jerebko began his career playing with second-tiered Swedish club Borås Basket in the 2005-2006 season, before joining first-tiered Swedish club Plannja Basket for the 2006-2007 season. He averaged 20.0 points, 11.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in 19 games for Borås, and 10.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in 22 games for Plannja.
In 2007, Jerebko moved to Italy where he joined Angelico Biella, playing for the club for two seasons. National Basketball Association
= Detroit Pistons In May 2009, Entertainment and Sports Programming Network analyst Fran Fraschilla considered Jerebko one of the top five European prospects in the 2009 National Basketball Association draft.
He was subsequently selected with the 39th overall pick by the Detroit Pistons, becoming the second Swedish national player to be selected in the National Basketball Association, after the Swedish-born American Miles Simon.
His career in the National Basketball Association got off to a rough-and-tumble start. In a preseason game, Jerebko was accused of punching National Basketball Association veteran Jamaal Magloire in the face. Both players were suspended for the opening game of the regular season game for the ensuing fight.
Jerebko"s hustle and determination early on in 2009-2010 made him a fan favorite.
He appeared in 80 games (73 starts) for the Pistons as a rookie, averaging 9.3 points (481 FG, 313 3FG), 6.0 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 0.99 steals in 27.9 minutes per game. He was among National Basketball Association rookie leaders ranked third in rebounds (60 rpg), fourth in blocks (036 bpg), fifth in minutes (279 mpg), eighth in steals (099 spg), 10th in scoring (93 ppg) and T-18 in assists (07 apg).
His 73 games as a starter ranks second in franchise history amongst rookies behind Kelly Tripucka who started all 82 games during the 1981-1982 season. On October 5, 2010, Jerebko strained his right Achilles" tendon in a preseason game against the Miami Heat.
He subsequently missed the entire 2010-2011 season.
On December 9, 2011, Jerebko re-signed with the Pistons on four-year deal. = Boston Celtics On February 19, 2015, Jerebko was traded, along with Luigi Datome, to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Tayshaun Prince. On July 9, 2015, Jerebko re-signed with the Celtics.
Jerebko debuted for the Swedish national team as an 18-year-old, and has since played for them at the 2013 EuroBasket.
Jerebko is the son of former Syracuse forward Chris Jerebko, a Russian American who played professionally in Sweden with Borås Basket for five seasons before settling in that country. Jerebko"s mother also played basketball professionally.
He was selected as a member of the Rookie Team as part of the 2010 Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam during the National Basketball Association All-Star Weekend.