Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Add Pardon to 2015-16 Recruiting Class
4/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Dererk Pardon (Cleveland, Ohio/Villa Angela-St. Joseph) has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Northwestern men's basketball program for the 2015-16 season head coach Chris Collins announced today (April 17).
A 6-foot-8 forward, Pardon joins another outstanding Northwestern recruiting class that also includes guard Jordan Ash (Bolingbrook, Ill./St. Joseph) and forward Aaron Falzon (Newton, Mass./Northfield Mount Hermon).
Like Ash, Pardon led his team to a state championship this past season as he helped Villa Angela-St. Joseph to the Ohio Division III crown. Pardon nearly recorded a triple-double in the title game, recording 15 points, 12 rebounds and 9 blocked shots.
"We're really excited to add Dererk to our program," Collins said. "It's great to add another state champion. He is a player who has continued to improve each year. He brings athleticism, rebounding, shot-blocking and size to our front line. He'll contribute to the culture that we're trying to create here at Northwestern."
As a senior, Pardon averaged 12.3 points and 11.0 rebounds per game while blocking a school-record 101 shots to earn a second-team all-state selection.
A complete bio on Pardon follows.
Dererk Pardon
6-8 • 235
Cleveland, Ohio/Villa Angela-St. Joseph
High School: Associated Press second-team all-state selection ... Averaged 12.3 points and 11.0 rebounds per game as a senior and recorded 101 blocks to set a school record ... First-team All-North Coast League White Division ... Team captain ... Led Villa Angela-St. Joseph (VASJ) to the Ohio Division III state championship as a senior, recording 15 points, 12 rebounds and 9 blocked shots in the title game ... Also helped the team to a state championship as a sophomore and a runner-up finish as a junior ... Represented Ohio in the annual Kentucky/Ohio prep all-star game ... Posted averages of 11.4 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.2 blocked shots per game as a junior ... Recorded 17 points and 15 rebounds in the state championship game ... Played AAU ball for King James Shooting Stars ... Honor roll student ... High school coach was Babe Kwasniak.
Personal: Born Dererk Devonte Pardon on 10/1/96 ... Son of Donald and Cynthia Pardon ... Didn't begin playing basketball until the seventh grade.
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