Jasper Johnson returns to Lexington with OTE for 'Kentucky Classic' in February

The first weekend of February just got bigger for Big Blue Nation — and it didn’t have much room to grow.

February 1 marks the return of John Calipari to Rupp Arena as the Arkansas Razorbacks will head to Lexington to take on his old Kentucky Wildcats. That’s the date everyone in the college basketball world has had marked on their calendars from the second the SEC schedule was announced.

But how about a follow-up game of interest for BBN, we’ll call it dessert after the main course? Care for Jasper Johnson‘s homecoming game in Lexington with Overtime Elite?

That’s been confirmed by OTE, Johnson’s Rod Wave Elite (RWE) squad coming home to Lexington for the ‘Kentucky Classic’ on Sunday, February 2. The five-star guard is teaming up with fellow in-state star and top-30 junior Tay Kinney this season, giving the Newport native a chance to play in front of friends and family, as well.

Johnson shined in his preseason debut at OTE this week, dropping 27 points on 9-17 shooting and 3-8 from three while adding six rebounds, two assists, and two steals with zero turnovers in nearly 37 minutes in a 90-82 victory over Wilson Academy.

KENTUCKY COMMIT Jasper Johnson looked spectacular in his RWE DEBUT 🌟 @BruhJasperJ

27 PTS
6 REB
0 TURNOVERS pic.twitter.com/mfGq67dEiL

— Overtime Elite (@OvertimeElite) September 26, 2024

As for Kinney, the No. 25 overall prospect in the 2026 On3 Industry Ranking finished with 12 points on 5-8 shooting and 2-3 from three while adding five rebounds, two assists, and one steal in just under 35 minutes.

“I like the team. Me and Taylen, we were talking about that in the summertime when he had committed to Overtime, talking about teaming up and stuff like that,” Johnson said on KSR’s Sources Say Podcast earlier this month. “Finally seeing us on the same team is gonna be a good feeling. It definitely works in our best interest to team up.”

They’re off to a good start this season, and soon, you’ll be able to see them back home for the Kentucky Classic in February.