Dennis Johnson was a “little nervous” about how his son, Woodford County sophomore Jasper Johnson, might do playing for Team Thad in the 17-under division at the Nike EYBL knowing he was playing up an age division.
“This is big-boy basketball and he held his own,” said Dennis Johnson, a former all-SEC defensive end at Kentucky and NFL player.
After two weekends of national play, Team Thad is 7-1 and Johnson is averaging 12.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals in 22.2 minutes per game. He’s shooting 54 percent overall from the field, 40.7 percent from 3 and 80 percent at the foul line. The circuit goes to Dallas May 12-14 and Memphis May 26-29 before the Peach Jam July 3-9 in North Augusta, South Carolina.
“He is a true point guard and his coach is giving him the ball a lot to run the team,” Dennis Johnson said. “I have been really impressed with how his coaches have him playing defense. His intensity has been great. He’s played really well against some of the nation’s best players.
“He’s got to rebound the ball more. He’s also not taking but about eight to 10 shots per game, so his shot selection has been really good. He’s had a ton of (college) coaches watch him play so that has also been good for him.”
Those coaches have included John Calipari and his Kentucky staff who have watched him play several times but have yet to make a scholarship offer to the 6-4 sophomore like Alabama, Arkansas, Texas A&M, Cincinnati, Ohio State, West Virginia, Xavier, Louisville, Redford, Ohio, Eastern Kentucky and Cal State Bakersfield.
“Football is so different when it comes to recruiting,” Dennis Johnson said. “It’s just crazy but Jasper is enjoying it.”
The 6-4 Woodford sophomore is also enjoying the overall Team Thad experience.
“He has really good teammates. They play well together and do a lot of stuff together. They eat together. They go to the arcade and mall together,” Dennis Johnson said. “They had two three-day minicamps before the AAU season started.”
Jasper Johnson seldom takes a day off. He lifts weights regularly and works out/trains with one of Woodford’s coaches. He normally shoots 45 to 50 minutes daily trying to make 500 shots.
“I make a weekly routine for him just like the pros do,” Dennis Johnson said. “You have got to have a schedule that is good for him every day.”
