Paul Jesperson Named Wisconsin Player of the Year

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