American basketball player
Paul Jesperson (born December 2, 1992) is an American former basketball player who is currently an assistant coach for the Valley Suns of the NBA G League .[ 1] He played college basketball for the Northern Iowa Panthers .
College career
Jesperson attended Merrill High School where he became the schools all-time leading scorer.[ 2] Jesperson attended the University of Virginia for two years before transferring to the University of Northern Iowa .[ 3] [ 4]
In an NCAA tournament game versus the sixth-seeded University of Texas Jesperson hit a half-court buzzer beating shot to win the game.[ 5] [ 6] The shot was featured in the 2016 edition of One Shining Moment .
Freshman season
Jesperson averaged 10.5 minutes, 1.5 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.2 assists per game.[ 7]
Sophomore season
Jesperson averaged 25.7 minutes, 4.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game.[ 7]
Junior season
Jesperson averaged 18.2 minutes, 5.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.3 assists per game.[ 7]
Senior season
Jesperson averaged 30.3 minutes, 10.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game.[ 7] In the Round of 64, he made a buzzer beater from half court to beat Texas 75–72.
Professional career
After going undrafted in the 2016 NBA draft , Jesperson signed with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League on October 31, 2016.[ 8] On November 15, he made his professional debut in a 152–128 win over the Maine Red Claws , playing two minutes off the bench.[ 9] Seven days later, he was waived by the Vipers.[ 10] On November 30, Jesperson signed with Spanish team Oviedo CB until the end of the 2016–17 season .[ 11] [ 12] In January 2017, he won with the club the Copa Princesa de Asturias .
Coaching career
On October 31, 2024, Jesperson was hired to be an assistant coach by the Valley Suns of the NBA G League.[ 13]
References
^ Rawlings, Gracie. "Oklahoma basketball hires Paul Jesperson as director of player development" . OUDaily.com . Retrieved April 2, 2024 .
^ VanTryon, Matthew. "This isn't the first time UNI's Paul Jesperson has been a buzzer-beating hero" . SportingNews . Retrieved March 27, 2016 .
^ "Paul Jesperson transfers to N. Iowa" . ESPN . Retrieved March 27, 2016 .
^ Skurzewski, Mitchell. "Paul Jesperson caps career in tourney" . Wausau Daily Herald . Retrieved March 27, 2016 .
^ Staples, Andy. "One Shining Shot: Jesperson adds latest buzzer beater to UNI lore" . Sports Illustrated . Retrieved March 27, 2016 .
^ Trotter, Jake. "Inside Paul Jesperson's miracle heave that lifted UNI, stunned Texas" . ESPN . Retrieved March 27, 2016 .
^ a b c d "Paul Jesperson Statistics" . Washington Post . Retrieved March 27, 2016 .
^ Chagollan, Anwar (October 31, 2016). "Vipers perform trade with Erie and finalize training camp roster" . NBA.com . Retrieved December 8, 2016 .
^ "Wiltjer Leads Vipers' Offensive Onslaught" . NBA.com . November 15, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2016 .
^ "RGV Vipers Acquire Forward Chris Johnson" . OurSportsCentral.com . November 23, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2016 .
^ "El Unión Financiera Oviedo incorpora a Paul Jesperson" . ACB.com (in Spanish). November 30, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2016 .
^ Skurzewski, Mitchell A. (December 2, 2016). "Merrill native signs pro basketball deal" . WausauDailyHerald.com . Retrieved December 2, 2016 .
^ "Valley Suns Announce Head Coach John Little's Coaching Staff" . NBA.com . October 31, 2024. Retrieved October 31, 2024 .
External links