UVa hoops recruit named Mr. Basketball

by Whitey Reid on March 29th, 2011

Paul Jesperson, who will be a member of the Virginia men’s basketball team this coming fall, has been named Wisconsin’s Mr. Basketball.

Here’ s a press release, courtesy of Virginia media relations.

CHARLOTTESVILLE—Virginia men’s basketball recruit Paul Jesperson has been named the Wisconsin Associated Press Player of the Year and Gatorade Player of the Year.

Jesperson, a 6-7 wing from Merrill, Wis., averaged 22.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.8 steals a game for Merrill High School during the 2010-11 season. He made 45.5 percent (196-431) of his shots from the field, including 36.8 percent (63-171) from three-point range, and shot 81.5 percent (176-216) from the free throw line.

Jesperson was a first-team All-State and All-Conference selection. He finished his career as Merrill’s all-time leading scorer with 1,696 points and established a school record for career starts (96 consecutive starts).

As a junior in 2009-10, Jesperson averaged 20.5 points and 10.1 rebounds a game. He earned All-State and All-Conference honors and was Merrill’s Offensive Most Valuable Player.

Jesperson averaged 15.6 points and 7.8 rebounds a game as a sophomore when he was an All-Conference selection and Merrill’s Offensive Most Valuable Player. As a freshman in 2007-08, he averaged 9.7 points and 4.4 rebounds a game and earned honorable mention All-Conference recognition.

Jesperson signed a national letter of intent with Virginia in November of 2010.

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