Where Are They Now: Derrick Jasper

US Presswire

Jasper was a 4-star recruit and ranked No. 38th nationally out of Paso Robles, Ca. The 5th best point guard in the nation was recruited to Kentucky by Tubby Smith, but transferred to UNLV following his sophomore season under Billy Gillispie.

“The decision to transfer is in no way an indication of my experience playing for UK,” Jasper said. “I feel at this point in my life, it is important for me to be close to my family, and I intend to transfer to a school closer to the west coast where I can see my family more often, and they can see me play.

“It was not an easy decision for me to make, since the fans have been so wonderful and very supportive of my teammates and me. I want to thank Coach Gillispie and the entire UK coaching staff for their guidance and support they have given me these past two years.  I have grown a tremendous amount as a basketball player, and most importantly a person and feel it is largely due to the people involved with the UK basketball program.”

Jasper started at the point guard position as a true freshman over junior Ramel Bradley. Jasper thought about transferring but new head coach, Billy Gillispie, convinced him to stay. Over the summer before his sophomore season, Jasper had micro fracture surgery performed on his left knee, which caused him to miss the first 10 games of the season. Jasper returned to the starting lineup after freshman star, Patrick Patterson, injured his ankle. During Jasper’s two seasons at Kentucky (2006-2008), he played in a total of 54 games and averaged 4.0 points and 2.7 assists per game.

Jasper never really got into a groove for the Runnin’ Rebels. After sitting out the 2008-09 season because of NCAA rules, Jasper only averaged 4.8 points, 2.4 assists and 4.3 rebounds in his two years at UNLV.

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Following his college basketball career, Billy Gillispie hired Jasper as graduate assistant at Texas Tech. This hire confused many people, as many thought Jasper’s transfer was result of a strained relationship between the two.

Following his knee injury before his sophomore season, the recovery time should have kept Jasper out for the entire season. However, Jasper returned early and played 20 games for the Wildcats, helping his team make a run in the NCAA Tournament. Jasper later admitted that he returned too soon before the leg was completely healed. Speculation circled that Jasper was talked into, if not pushed by Gillispie to return.

“I think that was blown out of proportion a bit,” Jasper said. “We had a good relationship. It wasn’t bad. It was me wanting to get closer to him. I wouldn’t be going back to work for him if I didn’t believe he was a good guy.

“A lot of (the return from the knee injury) was just me trying to get back early enough to help my team. That’s all in the past now. I’m just looking to the future.”

Jasper just finished his fourth season as a member of the Texas Tech basketball staff. Despite Gillispie’s departure in 2012, Jasper remained at Texas Tech where he now coaches under his other former Kentucky coach, Tubby Smith. Jasper serves as the assistant director of video production. His duties include video exchange, taping workouts and games, breaking down video and organizing the video library. He also takes on the duty of scouting opponents.