Mark Pope dreaming of Jasper Johnson, Acaden Lewis working 'some real magic' at Rupp Arena after midcourt intro

A couple of future Kentucky Wildcats used the holiday break to make a quick trip to Lexington. And they made sure their appearance came with some extra flair for the Big Blue Nation.

Class of 2025 signees Jasper Johnson and Acaden Lewis were both in attendance at Rupp Arena on Tuesday to watch Kentucky handle the Brown Bears, 88-54. As the team has done already this season with both Johnson and fellow 2025 signee Malachi Moreno, Lewis took center stage at midcourt during the second half and was introduced to the fanbase for the first time.

But there was a twist, one that head coach Mark Pope said he wasn’t aware of until he looked up and saw what was happening with his own two eyes. It was Johnson, the native of Lexington, who introduced Lewis to the BBN and rattled off all of his future teammate’s accomplishments.

Jasper Johnson welcomes Acaden Lewis to his new Kentucky home pic.twitter.com/3GZASI0lp2

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) December 31, 2024

But that’s not even the best part. Once Pope realized that two of his future players were together on the same court they’d soon be playing college basketball on, he couldn’t help but run out from the huddle and give a hug to his incoming backcourt.

(Kentucky was leading by 32 points at the time, for those wondering.)

“I was hyped,” Pope said postgame. “The truth is, I’m the last person to know anything. I only know a lot about very few things. So I’m in the timeout, talking to the staff, and I look up and those two kids are standing center court. And I got so excited. It was the first time I’d seen them on the court together. Definitely the first time I’ve seen them on the court in Rupp with the joint filled.

“And I was like oh this is going to be so fun. Not even containable. Those two guys are gonna be incredible and work some real magic in this building. I can’t wait to get them there, on the court in uniform. They’re two beautiful, beautiful kids that are really talented and great competitors. It’s gonna be fun to watch them grow. Super excited about those guys.”

Johnson and Lewis — two exciting lefty guards — help make up what is shaping up to be an excellent debut high school recruiting class for Pope. Johnson is a five-star shooting guard ranked No. 14 in the country while Lewis is a four-star point guard ranked No. 33 overall. Those two, along with Moreno (and possibly Caleb Wilson?), expect to have bright futures in Lexington wearing the blue and white.