College Hoops

Bruce Pearl on Zep Jasper: ‘He’s a winner.’

Bruce Pearl on Zep Jasper: ‘He’s a winner.’

Following Auburn’s loss to Houston in the round of 32 on Saturday night in Birmingham, several of Auburn’s key seniors began to contemplate their future with the program. Will they stay? Will they go?

Allen Flanigan and Jaylin Williams both said that they will spend the next few days weighing their options, but one senior does not get the opportunity to make that call, that’s senior guard Zep Jasper.

Jasper, a graduate student who began his career at College of Charleston, played his final college game on Saturday night. He started all 66 games of his Auburn career over the last two seasons, where he averaged four points per game, and had five games where he reached double-figures in points.

His stats may not be the flashiest, but his impact on Auburn basketball will be felt for a long time, as he was a building block to Auburn’s recent success.

“Coming in with, you know, Wendell (Green), Walker Kessler, Jabari Smith, a couple other guys. We made history. We was number one in the country. Won a regular season championship, which we didn’t predict,” Jasper said Saturday. “We came in, worked hard, and did it. And then we made history again by making the tournament, you know, going in the Round of 32. It’s been a hell of a ride. I appreciate Auburn so much.”

Someone that has been around Jasper the most over the last two seasons is Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl. Pearl complimented Jasper on his willingness to be an “Auburn man”, and says that his future employer is getting a hard worker.

“If Zep is playing his last game and decides he wants to do something else, the Auburn family is going to line up to hire that kid. Line up to hire him. Because he’s a winner,” Pearl said Saturday. “He’s a hard worker; he’s loyal; he’s everything — you know how you, you know, you bring somebody into your organization, your team, your family, you make statements when you bring somebody in like Zep Jasper.”

Seven players will be departing Auburn’s team due to graduation. Expect to hear news regarding Jaylin Williams and Allen Flanigan’s decisions in the coming days.

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