Floyd says Jefferson still might not be ready to play

Davon Jefferson has waited two years longer than he originally expected to play college basketball, so what’s a few more days?

The USC freshman forward who missed roughly two weeks of preseason practice because of a sprained knee could make his debut this week when the Trojans play in the Anaheim Classic beginning Thursday against San Diego, though Coach Tim Floyd on Tuesday refused to make any promises.

“It has nothing to do with him other than he hasn’t played basketball in two years and didn’t get to practice for 15 days, so he’s behind,” Floyd said. “If he doesn’t know what you’re doing, you’re holding him back and giving him like entitlement minutes, and I don’t think he wants that and I think he understands that he has a way to go and when he’s right, he’ll play.”

Jefferson said he recognized that he needed to show improvement in practice to earn playing time.

“I think I’m getting better at it every day, just learning and listening,” he said. “I think I’m understanding better.”

The Trojans could use additional help inside to complement sophomore forward Taj Gibson, who has been the team’s only reliable post presence in the early going.

Forwards Keith Wilkinson, Kasey Cunningham and RouSean Cromwell have played fewer minutes in each successive game this season, combining for 41 minutes against Mercer, 24 minutes against the Citadel and 19 minutes against South Carolina.

Jefferson was originally bound for Nevada Las Vegas in the fall of 2005 before he failed to qualify academically and headed for a prep school in North Carolina. He spent last year shoring up his academics through online and community college classes to meet USC’s entrance requirements.

“I’m anxious to play, but I know the time will come,” Jefferson said. “I’m just working hard every day getting better.”

Freshman guard Marcus Simmons couldn’t practice Tuesday because his sprained left ankle continues to bother him, Floyd said. Simmons, who has played only 11 minutes combined in two games, might not play this week. . . . Floyd said Beverly Hills High guard Romeo Miller’s friendship with prized Trojans signee DeMar DeRozan was “not at all a factor” in his scholarship offer. Floyd described Miller as a player who was “unselfish and wants to get better and wants to work every day.”. . . . Sophomore guard Daniel Hackett was selected the Sporting News’ national player of the week after averaging 21.5 points, 6.5 assists and 5.5 rebounds during the Trojans’ victories over the Citadel and South Carolina. . . . Mouth of Wilson (Va.) Oak Hill Academy guard Malik Story attended practice Tuesday and said he intended to sign with USC.

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ben.bolch@latimes.com.