Jesperson ACC bound
Rivals150 prospect Paul Jesperson of Merrill (Wisc.) High School has found the head coach he wanted to play for in the ACC.
At a press conference the 6-foot-7 wing prospect announced for Virginia over offers from Minnesota, Notre Dame and Northwestern.
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"The chance to compete in the ACC really excites me," Jesperson told Rivals.com. "But the big thing about Virginia is the coaching staff, especially Coach Bennett. He is the kind of guy you can trust on and off the court. He put Virginia over up and over the edge for me.
"I know he will get it done. I have a chance to be a part of him turning the program around."
Jesperson, who averaged 20 points, seven rebounds and three assists per game last season, had the opportunity to get a feel for Virginia at both its elite camp and the NBA Players Association Camp.
Rated the No. 140 prospect in the Rivals150, Jesperson is ideal for the role of coming off screens looking to score in Bennett's offensive scheme.
"They didn't say much to me about position or playing time," he said. "That's the way I like it. I want to have to earn everything I get. They did say they see me playing the two/three and rebounding and pushing it up the court as well."
Jesperson is the first 2011 commitment for Virginia, which is coming off a top 20 nationally ranked 2010 recruiting class.