Fremd’s Wiedemann picks Valparaiso

At 6-foot-1, Jessi Wiedemann is capable of scoring from anywhere on the floor.

That’s one reason numerous Division I schools began recruiting the junior who helped lead Fremd’s girls basketball team to a Mid-Suburban League championship last winter.

The winner of that recruiting battle was recently crowned — Valparaiso University. Wiedemann made a verbal commitment to the Indiana school in early August.

She was offered scholarships or received serious interest from 20-plus schools including New Mexico, Miami (Ohio), Youngstown State, Colorado State, Xavier, Loyola, Cleveland State, Colgate, Cornell, Princeton, Lehigh and Maryland-Baltimore County.

“I liked everything about Valparaiso,” said Wiedemann, who averaged 11 points with 50 3-point baskets last season. “The coaches were nice, the players were very welcoming and made me feel at home, the academics are great and it is close to home.”

Wiedemann plans to study business.

“Valparaiso offers an amazing business program that I am excited to attend,” said Wiedemann, who is playing for Curt Pinley’s varsity volleyball team.

She certainly is all business on the basketball floor, where she tossed in a career-high 28 points against Hinsdale Central, including 15 points in one quarter.

“I am very excited for Jessi.” said Fremd coach Dave Yates. “This has been a goal of Jessi’s and it is very rewarding to see it come true for her. Valpo is a great school and Jessi felt very comfortable with the coaches and players.”

Yates said Wiedemann has worked very hard on addressing her weaknesses.

“And it all seemed to come together this summer,” he said. “We attended three team camps this summer (Marquette, Wisconsin-Green Bay and Valparaiso) and immediately after the first game at each camp the coaches from each school were very impressed and were excited to learn more about Jessi.”

Wiedemann called Valparaiso a perfect fit.

“It feels very good to be committed already and I am happy to know where I will be attending college,” she said. “ I have always wanted to play basketball in college and it is a great feeling that all of my hard work has paid off since my Fremd feeder days.”

Wiedemann also averaged 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals per game her junior season.

“I felt like Jessi had a strong junior season for us last year, but she has improved so much that we are expecting big things from her this season,” Yates said. “With some physical maturity and added strength you could see her confidence increase each year she has been with us.”