Watch Jasper Johnson and Team USA take on Australia in World Cup

Kentucky freshman Jasper Johnson will not take the court at Rupp Arena for a few months now but fans will not have to wait long to see the lefty play a competitive basketball game against top-flight competition. That is happening now in Switzerland.

Team USA’s U19 team will begin group play in the Basketball World Cup on Saturday against Australia. Johnson and his teammates will take the floor for game one at 11:15 a.m. ET/10:15 a.m. for this international event. We have the stream right here at Kentucky Sports Radio.

“His experience playing on the U18 team, I think showed especially early,” Team USA assistant coach and Texas Tech head coach Grant McCasland told KSR in Colorado Springs. “When he played with us originally, he really was hunting shots and was more of a straight two guard. What I’ve really been impressed with is — one, he’s always been coachable, but he’s increased his ability to learn and grow and the willingness to hear everything you have to say and try to do it. Defensively, he’s competing, but offensively, his composure level, his ability to make the next play, and his ownership in winning really has been tremendous.

“He’s gotten better — and I don’t mean just a little bit. I think Jasper — he’s always been a shot-maker and an elite scorer, but I think his composure level offensively has really grown. I’ve been really impressed with him.”

Now we get to see what kind of scorer the in-state product is in June. It’s time to get your Team USA gear on, Big Blue Nation.

Team USA Roster

• Mikel Brown Jr. (Louisville)
• AJ Dybantsa (BYU)
• Caleb Holt
• Daniel Jacobson (Purdue)
• Jasper Johnson (Kentucky)
• Morez Johnson Jr. (Michigan)
• Nike Khamenia (Duke)
• JJ Mandaquit (Washington)
• Brandon McCoy Jr.
• Koa Peat (Arizona)
• Jordan Smith Jr.
• Tyran Stokes