Kentucky targets VJ Edgecombe, Jasper Johnson set to face off tonight
Two of John Calipari’s top recruiting targets, VJ Edgecombe (Long Island Lutheran) and Jasper Johnson (Link Academy), are set to go head-to-head this evening in the City of Palms Classic semifinals down in Fort Myers, FL.
Edgecombe is a class of 2024 five-star shooting guard ranked as the No. 5 overall high school senior by the On3 Industry Ranking. Johnson is a year younger in the class of 2025, checking in as the No. 12 overall high school junior. Tipoff between Edgecombe’s Long Island Lutheran (NY) and Johnson’s Link Academy (MO) is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. EST and will be broadcast live on ESPNU.
Both of these talented prospects are being heavily recruited by Calipari and the rest of Kentucky’s coaching staff. They have already received offers from the Wildcats and have made visits to Lexington in the past. Also playing on Friday at the City of Palms is Kentucky commit Travis Perry. He’ll lead Lyon County (KY) into a matchup against Buckhorn (AL) at 4:20 p.m. EST.
Edgecombe is one to pay close attention to right now. His recruitment has heated up in recent weeks with Kentucky reportedly gaining plenty of ground on Duke, long-perceived as the frontrunner. New assistant coach Chuck Martin, who recruited Edgecombe when he was at Oregon, has only helped UK’s pitch. The longer this recruitment drags out, the better Kentucky’s chances at landing the 6-foot-4 shooting guard get.
On Thursday, Kentucky received a commitment from another 2024 prospect, four-star wing Billy Richmond. Calipari now has five commits locked in for this cycle but the thought is he could add at least one more to the batch. Edgecombe is viewed as a major possibility.
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As for Johnson, he’s been rumored as a possible reclass candidate, but as of right now, he remains in 2025. After starting his high school career at Woodford County, the Lexington native is playing his first season out of state with national powerhouse Link Academy, which also features ’24 five-star SG Tre Johnson, who was a Kentucky target before ultimately landing at Texas.
Both Edgecombe and Johnson have played two games at the City of Palms Classic so far. Edgecombe dropped 20 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals in Long Island Lutheran’s 83-59 win over Westminster Academy on Tuesday before registering 15 points, five rebounds, and two assists in a 58-55 win over Don Bosco Prep on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Johnson went for 13 points in Link Academy’s first win over North Mecklenburg, 67-59, on Monday before upping his contribution with 18 points and three rebounds in a huge 68-61 victory over Columbus on Thursday. Columbus is headlined by the Boozer twins, Cameron and Cayden, two more major Kentucky targets.
The winner of tonight’s semifinal matchup will advance to Saturday’s championship at 9:00 p.m. EST. The two teams on the other side of the bracket are a loaded Montverde Academy (FL) and Paul VI (VA). Montverde features five-star small forward and future Duke Blue Devil, Cooper Flagg.
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