5-star guard Jasper Johnson commits to Kentucky

Lexington’s own Jasper Johnson will be staying home, committing to the Kentucky Wildcats in a public ceremony at his old stomping grounds, Woodford County High School, in front of family and friends.

The five-star guard, rated No. 11 overall and No. 4 among shooting guards according to the On3 Industry Ranking, chose Kentucky over Alabama, Arkansas, Louisville and North Carolina. He ultimately narrowed his decision down to the Cats, Crimson Tide and Tar Heels before choosing to play for Mark Pope in his hometown.

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Standing 6-4, 170 pounds, Johnson will play his final season of high school basketball at Overtime Elite after previous stops at Woodford County and Link Academy.

What is Kentucky getting in the Lexington native? He’s a dynamic shot-maker capable of filling it up at all three levels. His hottest is hotter than anyone else in 2025, making the most difficult shots look routine while also finishing with touch in crafty finishes around the basket — then he’ll throw in the occasional running sky hook for good measure. He’s also got experience playing both on- and off-ball in high school and playing AAU, opening the door for Johnson at the one, two and potentially even the three on occasion in smaller three-guard lineups. The defensive upside is also extremely high with a long wingspan and frame made for adding muscle. He’ll need to spend time in Kentucky’s strength and conditioning program to bulk up going into a conference loaded with long, strong and physical athletes in the SEC, but he’s got plenty to work with.

Johnson joins fellow in-state standout and top-ranked center Malachi Moreno in Kentucky’s 2025 recruiting class, now ranked inside the top three nationally. It gives the Wildcats two key building blocks in the backcourt and frontcourt, respectively, two months away from the early signing period in November. Planning to bring in four, maybe five freshmen this cycle, Pope has now laid a foundation of half that or just short of it with a pair of top-25 prospects, opening the door for a selective process to round out the class before many schools even begin to fill theirs. You’ve knocked out the blue-chip targets in your backyard, now it’s time to make a move on your top priorities at wing and forward. Land a couple more this fall and swing for the fences on a big fish in the spring to wrap things up? Pope and his staff would certainly love that outcome.

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The five-star guard first received a scholarship offer from Kentucky under John Calipari back in May 2023 following a number of in-person meetings with the previous staff. He took an official visit in February before the coaching change, followed by a number of unofficials once Pope took the job in the spring. The new head coach also flew out to Argentina to watch Johnson play in the FIBA U18 AmeriCup back in June, a move that left a lasting impression on the Lexington native.

“To see him putting in that effort, it really means a lot. It shows a lot,” he told KSR at the time.

Johnson previously said he was looking for “a program that is the best fit for me, somewhere I can go and make mistakes and grow from them” along with “a coaching staff that really trusts and believes in me.”

His dad, Dennis Johnson, is one of the most decorated football players in UK history while his grandfather, Alvis, was an assistant athletics director at Kentucky beyond his status as a KHSAA Hall of Famer. The ties are deep, but Alabama and North Carolina had a significant relationship advantage on the Cats with Pope only getting five months to work with ahead of Johnson’s commitment compared to a year-plus for the others. And they also signed several of his former teammates and friends, Labaron Philon for the Tide and James Brown for the Heels.

At the end of the day, though, Kentucky’s persistent efforts to chip away ultimately paid off in the form of a commitment, Johnson deciding to stay home and suit up in blue and white for the Wildcats. Another Johnson will be wearing Kentucky across his chest in Lexington, only this time he’s trading out the shoulder pads for sneakers.