Kentucky Outshines UNC, Alabama for Jasper Johnson’s Commitment

Mark Pope, the new head coach for the Kentucky Wildcats, achieved a significant milestone in recruiting on Thursday when five-star guard Jasper Johnson announced his commitment to the team. Johnson’s decision came after a competitive recruitment process that included offers from North Carolina and Alabama.

In addition to the Wildcats, Johnson’s final five schools included Arkansas and Louisville. While Alabama seemed to be in the lead following the July evaluation period, Kentucky’s coaching staff made a late surge that ultimately secured Johnson’s commitment.

Jasper Johnson, a product of Link Academy in Missouri, is originally from Lexington. After signing with Overtime Elite in July, he has chosen to return to his hometown for his college career.

“Being from Lexington and playing for the home school, my city and state meant something to me,” Johnson shared with ESPN. “Rupp Arena is a magical place.”

Pope and his coaching staff made a strong final impression in their last pitch to Johnson. “I got close to the staff. They were very consistent in the recruiting process. They took the time to get to know me,” Johnson explained. “The whole staff came to my apartment at midnight on the first night coaches were allowed out. That was cool.”

Standing at 6 feet 4 inches, Johnson is ranked No. 13 in the ESPN 100. Over the spring, he averaged 14.8 points per game while playing for Team Thad on the Nike EYBL circuit. His performance peaked in July during the Nike Peach Jam, where he scored an impressive 19.8 points per game over five outings. Additionally, he contributed significantly to the USA Basketball under-18 team, helping them secure a gold medal at the FIBA AmeriCup with an average of 10.0 points per game and an impressive 42.3% shooting from beyond the arc.

Johnson is recognized as one of the country’s top pure scorers. His game is characterized by a combination of effective shot-making, quick drives to the basket, and creative finishes. With a wingspan nearing 6 feet 9 inches, he possesses the skills to guard his position effectively. His offensive game is heavily reliant on his ability to stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting, forcing defenders to confront him with an aggressive mindset to stop his drives. Once in the lane, he demonstrates a reliable floater and finishes well around the rim. His passing vision and instinctive play style allow him the versatility to excel at either guard position.

Mark Pope has made a strong start to his initial recruiting class for 2025, with Johnson being the second significant commitment from an in-state prospect. This follows the earlier commitment from top-50 center Malachi Moreno in August. Johnson is currently the second-highest-ranked player in the 2025 class to commit so far, surpassed only by top-10 guard Darius Acuff from Arkansas.

Pope has additional targets lined up for the 2025 class, including Nate Ament, who is ranked No. 4 in the ESPN 100, as well as Caleb Wilson at No. 5, Chris Cenac Jr. at No. 7, Mikel Brown Jr. at No. 12, Tounde Yessoufou at No. 18, and Braylon Mullins at No. 24.