Jesperson Picks Virginia

On Thursday, the Gophers were dealt a recruiting blow when small forward, Paul Jesperson, opted to give his verbal commitment to the University of Virginia.

Jesperson, a 6-foot-7, 180-pound wing from Merrill, Wisconsin would have been a great start to the Gophers' 2011 recruiting class. Jesperson has the size and the skill set to be a valuable addition to any roster. The best part of his game is obviously his shooting ability. With a pure stroke and a high release Jesperson is a big time shooter. He has deep range that would surely have helped the Gophers with the impending loss of sniper, Blake Hoffarber next season.

Jesperson's size will also be a huge advantage in the college game. At 6-foot-7 and possessing deep range, Jesperson would be able to use this combination to stretch the defense. He is a solid athlete who can use this athleticism to get the first step on larger defenders. Jesperson's skill set and athletic body would have fit well in the Gopher system.

Paul Jesperson, who had an offer from Minnesota, also held offers from quality schools such as Notre Dame, Iowa, and Butler.

Although the Gophers did not land Jesperson, there are still many top prospects for the Maroon and Gold to land for the class of 2011.