Personal
Born May 1979 in Roswell, N.M. ... parents are Wayne and Jenene ... married wife Brittany in July 2001 ... brother, Bret, was a center on BYU's basketball team (1995, 1998-1999) .... recruited by USC, Portland, San Diego, Dartmouth, New Mexico State and Baylor... served a two-year LDS Church mission in Utica, New York, after his freshman season ... undeclared major.
At BYU
CAPSULE: Jepsen redshirted last season after returning from an LDS Church mission ... He had suffered a severe break of his leg on his mission ... He will likely play a significant role in the middle as a rebounder and defender who can run the floor well ... A strong physical presence and good rebounder, he could play a role similar to that of outgoing senior Nate Knight ... Before a two-year LDS Church mission, Jepsen started nine times while playing 27 games as a freshman in 1997-98 in Cleveland's first season ... He is the younger brother of former Cougar center Bret Jepsen.
REDSHIRT (2000-2001) ....
FRESHMAN (1997-98): Played in 27 of 30 games, including nine starts .... averaged 1.2 points, 2.1 rebounds in 11.9 minutes per game overall .... earned more and more time on the court because of his hustle and rebounding ... in his first collegiate start he scored 4 points, had career highs of 9 rebounds and 2 assists along with 1 block vs. Washington on Dec. 9, 1997 ... hit the game-winning shot vs. Pepperdine in the championship game of the Cougar Classic ... scored a career-high 7 points vs. UNLV on Jan. 22, 1998.
Before BYU
Four-year letterman in basketball at Roswell High School...averaged 15.0 points and 10.0 rebounds ... honor society vice president ... coached by Britt Cooper (Eastern New Mexico).
Summary
Jepsen was a key reserve who was one of seven players to appear in all 30 games last year ... The redshirt junior has valuable experience and excellent athletic ability ... He is a solid rebounder and defender who runs the floor extremely well for a big man ... He averaged 0.9 points and 1.4 rebounds in 7.8 minutes per game last year and 1.2 points and 2.1 rebounds in 11.9 minutes as a freshman in Steve Cleveland's first season in 1997-98 while playing in 27 of 30 games, including nine starts.
Stats
CAREER HIGHS: POINTS: 7 at UNLV (98), v. SDSU FG MADE: 3 at UNLV, v. SDSU FG ATT: 8 at UNLV FG%: .750 (3-4) vs. SDSU 3FG MADE: 1 at UNLV 3FG ATT: 4 at UNLV 3FG%: .250 (1-4) at UNLV FT MADE: 4 vs. Air Force FT ATT: 4 vs. Air Force FT %: 1.000 (4-4) vs. Air Force REB: 9 vs. Washington ASSISTS: 2 (twice) STEALS: 2 (twice) BLOCKS: 3 vs. UTEP MINUTES: 35 at Tulsa
Played in 27 of 30 games, including nine starts .... averaged 1.2 points, 2.1 rebounds in 11.9 minutes per game overall .... earned more and more time on the court because of his hustle and rebounding ... in his first collegiate start he scored 4 points, had career highs of 9 rebounds and 2 assists along with 1 block vs. Washington on Dec. 9, 1997 ... hit the game-winning shot vs. Pepperdine in the championship game of the Cougar Classic ... scored a career-high 7 points vs. UNLV on Jan. 22, 1998.
Jepsen was one of seven players to appear in all 30 games, coming off the bench in every contest ... averaged 0.9 points and 1.4 rebounds in 7.8 minutes per game ... had a rebound high of 6 in a win over Arizona State ... tied his career high in scoring with 7 points and in field goals made (3), coming off the bench to give the Cougars a big lift in 19 minutes vs. SDSU in Provo ... his two dunks in the first half against SDSU helped give BYU momentum, taking a lead it never lost throughout the entire second half .... his 3-4 shooting night was also a career-best percentage ... Jepsen's dunk got the crowd going and started an incredible 27-9 BYU run to turn a 21-11 UC Irvine lead in the first round of the NIT into a 38-28 Cougar advantage at the half ... blocked Brian Greene's shot with just second remaining to help preserve BYU's three-point lead over CSU in Provo ... played a season-high 22 minutes at UNLV and at Utah State.
Redshirted after returning from an LDS Church mission ... He suffered a severe break of his leg on his mission.