Jasper Johnson interested in representing home state as a Kentucky Wildcat
On paper, Woodford County standout Jasper Johnson could have played with his 16U age group on the Nike EYBL circuit, putting up other-worldly numbers against rising juniors and younger without breaking a sweat. No one would scoff at the idea — heck, Cooper Flagg and Cam Boozer are averaging 28 points per game each playing 16Us. If the top two 2025 prospects in the country can do it, surely the No. 21 recruit out of Versailles can do the same.
But Johnson chose the tougher path, playing against the best of the best in all of high school basketball with Team Thad 17U. Rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, whatever, the 6-foot-4 point guard wanted to prove himself on grassroots’ biggest stage.
Standing out on the EYBL circuit
And not only did he hold his own, he stood out on one of the best teams of the opening weekend. On a squad that went 3-1 overall, Johnson finished third in scoring (45 points), second in made field goals (20) and third in minutes (90). He averaged 11.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists while turning the ball over just five times in four games — three coming with tired legs in the last game on the final day.
Point being, the kid who grew up 15 minutes away from Rupp Arena didn’t just look like an in-state standout. He looked the part of a soon-to-be five-star at the national level — and did so playing in front of Kentucky head coach John Calipari on multiple occasions.
“It means a lot. I’m proving to myself and everybody else that I can play up,” Johnson said this weekend in Atlanta. “I’m finding my role better as a point guard, being the best player I can be, and making plays for others.”
There’s a poise and patience about him that separates his game from his peers in the class. He’s never rushed, always controlled in making the right reads and decisions. It’s why he’s rated as a top-25 prospect and the No. 2 point guard overall in the On3 rankings.
“What separates my game? Definitely my IQ,” he told KSR. “Just me knowing, being a step ahead of the defender, the defense, you know? Controlling the game, that’s what I’m really good at.”
Learning from D’Angelo Russell
On quick glance, you can see some early similarities to D’Angelo Russell and the pace he plays with. Similar size and play style, a methodical and calculated approach. It’s what got the Louisville native to be the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft and led him to All-Star status in 2019.
Johnson not only sees the comparisons, but is actually learning from the veteran pro to follow in his footsteps, hoping to ultimately find his way to the league, as well. The two have developed a tight relationship over the past year, with Russell taking the fellow in-state standout under his wing.
“Me and him have gotten close recently, worked out with him a couple times, so definitely call him to ask questions. We’re really close, so I look up to him,” Johnson said. “Louisville, that’s where he’s from. He’s around here. Recently, over last summer, I did a workout with him at his camp. Ever since then I’ve been in touch with him almost every day.”
Dad guiding him through the process
The work is showing, and it’s drawing attention from the best of the best. He’s already earned offers from the likes of Alabama, Arkansas, Cincinnati, Louisville, Memphis, Ohio State and Texas A&M, among others. And Kentucky could be next.
It’s a path that would allow him to play on the hardwood at the same school his father, Dennis Johnson, was a star on the gridiron. As a Wildcat he led the SEC in tackles for loss, sacks and forced fumbles in 2001 before declaring for the NFL Draft, selected in the third round. And he’s learning from his dad — who was recruited by the likes of Notre Dame, Florida and Miami out of high school — on how to navigate this process as an up-and-coming standout recruit, albeit on the basketball court.
“He just tells me to stay humble and keep working,” Johnson said. “Everything I’ve ever wanted will come to me if I do that. He’s always in my ear, giving me good advice every day. He has definitely been a big help to me.”
Growing up a Kentucky fan
Johnson wasn’t shy in admitting he grew up in a Kentucky household, a big fan of the Wildcats as a kid. It’s hard not to be when you live right down the road from campus, his father’s old stomping grounds.
And yeah, he saw Calipari sitting courtside throughout the weekend. Just as he saw the coaching staff make regular stops this past season to watch him play at Woodford County.
Just how big would an offer be?
“It would really mean a lot to me,” Johnson said. “I grew up 15 minutes away from Rupp Arena, right down the street. I’ve been watching them since I was a little kid. I know they breed a lot of great guards in the NBA, so it’d be a big accomplishment if they do that.”
It doesn’t hurt that every time you turn on the television there’s a former Wildcat dropping 30-balls in the NBA Playoffs — mostly guards. He’d obviously like to be in that same position one day.
“I’ve been watching them forever and they breed great guards. De’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, Tyrese Maxey, so many great guards,” Johnson added. “Just to be able to put on a Kentucky jersey and play at Rupp, inside my home state and city, that’d mean a lot. … It’s a big motivation. I can definitely see myself doing that one day, so I might as well lock into the opportunity to better myself.”
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Calipari is in touch, but Orlando Antigua is his family’s main point of contact. He’s been the main attendee at Woodford County games and practices, keeping close tabs on the local standout. “It’s about relationship building,” he said. “We’ve been in contact a lot.”
The message has been simple: family first. The Wildcats are a family and your dad is a Wildcat. Keep coming to games, taking quick trips to campus to strengthen those relationships. Continue putting in work on the floor and at the end of the day, the fit will be clear.
“Just getting on campus, talking to me and my family. Staying motivated and humble,” Johnson said of Kentucky’s pitch. “They’re just saying they’re going to keep being there for me, keep coming to my games and stuff. Just giving good love, so we’re going to stay locked in.”
He’s taken several unofficial visits, finding his way to the stands of Rupp Arena as a guest on numerous occasions this past season alone.
“As a kid watching them on TV, it’s always like, ‘Dang, that’s crazy,'” Johnson told KSR. “But then you’re here, go down on the court and be in the locker room, stuff like that, it’s a big difference. It’s a great place to be, Rupp Arena.”
Get the picture?
Other offers and interest
That’s not to say an offer would end things completely, though. There are other schools putting in the time and effort to recruit the top-25 prospect and he’d like to keep his options open.
“But they’d definitely be up there, for sure,” he added.
So who are those other schools that are prioritizing him at this point?
“Schools that are interested in me are Alabama, Ohio State, Cincinnati, Memphis, Arkansas, Louisville, Xavier,” he said. “Just a couple schools that are really interested in me and keeping in contact.”
And interested programs will only ramp up from here. Johnson is a good player on a good team on grassroots basketball’s biggest circuit. It was a good start, but the intrigue is only getting started.
How is he handling the added attention? The same way he plays the game: poised.
“My coaches tell me to be prepared for the coaches that are gonna be there because we’re a great team with a lot of great players. They tell me to look forward to that and show what I can do, do what I do best,” he said. “I just try to stay focused. They’re there for a reason, to watch us play. Might as well give them a show.”
Decision timeline
There’s still a long way to go before he’s ready to start settling down and thinking about a decision. The interest and offers are still pouring in — and he’s still developing both physically and as a player. He still hasn’t even completed his sophomore year of high school, after all.
“I haven’t really thought about my commitment or a timeline for decision, anything like that yet,” he told KSR.
When he does, though, expect Kentucky to be firmly in the conversation. And it won’t be because he’s from the area, earning a token in-state offer. It will be because Calipari wants him as one of the best players in all of high school basketball.
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