Zep Jasper: 3 things to know about the Auburn men's basketball guard, Charleston transfer

Zep Jasper came to the Auburn men's basketball team known for his defense. He was an all-defensive team selection in 2020-21 in the Colonial Athletic Association.

Jasper displayed his defensive prowess most notably in the ninth game of the 2021-22 season when Auburn faced Nebraska.

He stole the ball five times against Nebraska. Jasper also had six points and five assists in the 99-68 Auburn win vs. the Cornhuskers.

Here's some basic information about Zep Jasper:

• Full name: Zephaniah Dashaun Jasper

• Height: 6 feet, 1 inch

• Weight: 185 pounds

• Age: 24 years old

• Birthday: June 2, 1997

• Hometown: Augusta, Georgia

• High School: Lucy C. Laney High School in Augusta, Georgia; Notre Dame Preparatory School in Fitchburg, Massachusetts

• Previous college: College of Charleston

• Parents: William and Sandra Jasper

Find out three more things to know about Auburn men's basketball guard Zep Jasper.

Zep Jasper loves his 'honey badger' nickname

Zep Jasper received the nickname "honey badger" from Tommy Glasgow of the Holy City Hoops podcast, according to The Post and Courier in Charleston, South Carolina.

Jasper earned the nickname for his defensive intensity.

"I love the honey badger name," Jasper said to The Post and Courier. "When I'm playing defense, whoever is in front of me, I'm going to treat them like they’ve got honey in front of me. I’m going to latch on to them and make sure they go nowhere. I’m going to irritate then and nag them, like a little fly running around, and not let them go anywhere."

Zep Jasper stats at College of Charleston

Zep Jasper was a member of the College of Charleston men's basketball team for four seasons from 2017-21. He redshirted the 2017-18 season before becoming a regular contributor in his final three seasons.

In his final three seasons from 2018-21, Jasper played in 83 games with 63 starts. He started all 19 games that he played in 2020-21.

Jasper for his career averaged 8.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. His biggest year was 2020-21, when Jasper averaged 15.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists.

The Colonial Athletic Association named Jasper second-team all-conference and to the all-defensive team in 2020-21.

Zep Jasper high school teammate with former UNC Tar Heels guard Christian Keeling

Zep Jasper and Christian Keeling were high school teammates at Lucy C. Laney High School in Augusta, Georgia. But their friendship goes back to fourth grade, according to The Augusta Chronicle.

After Jasper and Keeling graduated high school in 2016, Keeling went to play basketball at Charleston Southern for three seasons. He then joined the North Carolina Tar Heels for the 2019-20 season.

The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Keeling played in 33 games and averaged 6.4 points and 2.8 rebounds for UNC in 2019-20. At Charleston Southern, Keeling earned Big South all-conference first team in 2018-19, all-conference second team in 2017-18, and all-freshman team in 2016-17.

Here's more Zep Jasper news:

• Zep Jasper: College of Charleston transfer guard Zep Jasper commits to Auburn basketball

• Auburn men's basketball: Meet the 2021-22 Auburn basketball team full roster

• Zep Jasper at Auburn: Zep Jasper says he's gained 20 pounds since arriving at Auburn

• Zep Jasper, Christian Keeling: Laney star duo Christian Keeling, Zep Jasper share player of the year selection after big

Check out the Zep Jasper bio on the Auburn men's basketball website.

Erik Hall is the lead digital producer for sports with the USA Today Network. You can find him on Twitter @HallErik.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Zep Jasper: 3 facts on the Auburn Tigers men's basketball guard