SALT LAKE CITY — Coming into camp, Jazz center Al Jefferson felt better physically than he had in a long time, maybe ever.

Big Al spent most of the extended offseason on a workout mission in Santa Barbara. While dropping fat and adding muscle, the 280-pound Jefferson spent so much time at the Jazz-recommended P3 performance facility, he could give tours.

“The only good thing about the offseason going longer,” Jefferson said, “was that it was just more time for me to work and get better.”

The Jazz are excited to reap the rewards of Jefferson’s working vacation in SoCal.

“His work in the summer’s really showing,” Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin said.

Utah worked mostly on defensive adjustments the first couple of practices, and Jefferson has shown more agility and athleticism while rotating and getting back on D.

He’s sacrificing his body a bit, too.

Corbin said Jefferson took three charges in the first two sessions.

“I don’t remember him taking many charges at all last year,” a smiling Corbin said. “His position is better. He feels good about how he can move and react and get back to one spot, and (has) quickness of doing both.”

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Shirley Lewis, the live-in girlfriend of Jazz center Al Jefferson, was arrested and booked into Salt Lake County jail late Thursday night after allegedly hitting and biting the 6-foot-10, 280-pound player.

According to a probable cause statement, a verbal argument at Jefferson’s Cottonwood Heights mansion between Lewis, 38, and Jefferson, 26, escalated to violence when she allegedly hit him and bit him on the back. Two children were present at the time, police say.

“The police department was called to a residence [Thursday] night on a report of domestic violence,” said Cottonwood Heights Sgt. Dan Bartlett. “Officers arrived and determined that domestic violence was in fact committed and arrested a female.”

Police would not reveal who actually made the call.

Jefferson refused Friday to discuss the incident during Utah’s media day for the 2011-12 season.

“It’s a personal matter and I’m done talking about it. I want to discuss basketball,” Jefferson said. “I know you’ve got some good questions about basketball, right?”

Reporters gave Jefferson space. But Big Al did take a moment took reflect on a strong seven-year professional career that sometimes has been overshadowed by off-the-court drama.

“It’s life, man. Life is full of adjustments, full of changes,” Jefferson said. “It’s life.”

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Lewis, listed in jail records as 5-foot-7 and 170 pounds, was booked into jail just before 9 p.m. Thursday.

She bailed out shortly thereafter, but missed her 10 a.m. arraignment in Holladay Justice Court, where she is charged with assault and domestic violence in the presence of a child, both class B misdemeanors.

The arraignment hearing was later rescheduled for Jan. 18 before Judge Augustus Chin. A court clerk said the hearing was reset because officials were unsure whether Lewis knew she had to appear.

Jefferson averaged a team-high 18.6 points and 9.7 rebounds during the 2010-11 season, his first with the Jazz.

While playing for Minnesota, he was arrested in February 2010 for suspicion of DWI and was suspended by the Timberwolves for two games after the incident. He accepted the suspension, apologizing to his teammates and fans.

Jazz CEO Greg Miller said the organization will “stay out of” Jefferson’s latest incident and acknowledged he didn’t feel qualified to comment since it involves the center’s personal life.

Utah coach Tyrone Corbin said he spoke with Jefferson about the reported assault, and trusts him to do the right thing and handle his own business.

“He’s done handled himself extremely well through it and it’s a family matter,” Corbin said. “We’re proud of the way he handled things.”

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Enes Kanter couldn’t believe it.

He was wearing a Jazz uniform, walking on Utah’s practice court and about to run through the first day of training camp for the 2011-12 season.

The 161-day NBA lockout was finally over, and the No. 3 overall pick of the 2011 draft was moments away from ending three years of basketball solitude.

Was Kanter excited?

You better believe it.

Is he confident he can play in the post against some of the best athletes in the world during a shortened 66-game campaign that will feature an abbreviated preseason?

Heck, yes.

“I’m just not scared,” said the rookie center during media day for the 2011-12 season. “I’m just going to go on the court and do my best and try to help my teammates.”

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Kanter was surrounded by his new teammates Friday, with everyone from Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap to newly signed Earl Watson and a 100-percent healthy Mehmet Okur flashing smiles and answering questions.

Jefferson openly discussed his improved shape and renewed athletic focus, proudly recounting his time spent during the offseason at a high-performance training facility in Santa Barbara, Calif.

“I worked real hard, man,” Jefferson said. “Now it’s just time to show it on the court.”

He refused to discuss his personal life, though, specifically a domestic assault incident late Thursday involving his live-in girlfriend.

“It’s a personal matter and I’m done talking about it. I want to discuss basketball,” Jefferson said. “I know you’ve got some good questions about basketball, right?”

Reporters soon gave Jefferson space. But Big Al did take a moment took reflect on a strong seven-year professional career that sometimes has been overshadowed by off-the-court drama.

“It’s life, man. Life is full of adjustments, full of changes,” Jefferson said. “It’s life.”

Twitter: @tribjazz

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Revisit the basketball exhibition game where Utah Jazz members and other NBA players including Jimmer Fredette came to Salt Lake Community College for the Pro Players Charity Classic.

Jazz regulars Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, C.J. Miles, Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, Eric Watson, Ronnie Price and Jeremy Evans all saw action, along with last summer’s Utah draft picks, Enes Kanter and Alec Burks.

Other players included former Jazzman Wesley Matthews and other “name” Jazz opponents like Chauncey Billups, Stephen Curry, Corey Maggette and Anthony Tolliver.

Utah Jazz’s Al Jefferson on charity game, fans, Burks, Millsap (watch video)