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Kentucky basketball beats out Alabama, Arkansas, others for 5-star SG
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Kentucky basketball landed a 5-star commitment Thursday.
Jasper Johnson announced his plans to play for Mark Pope’s program during a live ceremony.
Jasper Johnson is headed to KENTUCKY! Mark Pope is keeping Johnson in the Bluegrass!! #BBN.
“The trust is there from Pope and the coaching staff.” @FOX56News pic.twitter.com/97Z9J76SdT
— Colby Wilson (@colbyywilsonn) September 5, 2024
Johnson is listed as measuring 6-4, 175 pounds. On the 247Sports Composite, Johnson is rated 5-stars, the No. 2 shooting guard, No. 3 player in the state of Georgia and No. 10 prospect overall in the Class of 2025.
As one might expect, Johnson attracted interest from college basketball’s top programs. For Thursday’s commitment ceremony, he narrowed the 22 scholarship offers to a final 5 of Kentucky, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisville, and North Carolina.
Johnson is originally from Lexington. He was a Woodford County High School standout in 2023. Last season, he played at Link Academy in Missouri and is set to finish his high school career at Overtime Elite in Atlanta.
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The Wildcats had a big advantage in their pursuit of Johnson: family. Johnson has deep ties to the program, as noted by A Sea of Blue. His father, Dennis Johnson, and uncle, Derrick Johnson, played football for the Wildcats. Late grandfather Alvis Johnson also worked in the UK athletic department. He honored the family legacy at Thursday’s ceremony.
Jasper Johnson announced his commitment by having a Kentucky jersey delivered to him in a pizza box.
It’s the same jersey Bill Keightley gave his father, Dennis, who originally planned to play both football and basketball at Kentucky #BBN pic.twitter.com/KUV1zdN5Wn
— KSR (@KSRonX) September 5, 2024
Johnson is the highest-rated commitment for Pope. Fans who haven’t previously followed Johnson can get a preview of what he’ll bring to the 2025 team by checking out his highlights below:
Jasper Johnson was one of the first recruits Mark Pope reconnected with when he took the Kentucky job.
For good reason.pic.twitter.com/nT7AATwoFg
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) April 28, 2024
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
