Jasper Johnson has 19 Points in USA Gold Medal Win

Dennis Johnson Photo

Jasper Johnson can put another check mark on his bucket list.

The former Woodford County High School standout saved his best for last in the 2024 FIBA Men’s U18 AmeriCup in a 110-70 win over Argentina in Bueno Aires Sunday night.

The USA claimed the gold medal for the 11th time in this event with 12 players and coaches who were competing in their first  USA Basketball Junior National Team event.

Johnson had 19 points, second on the team to 26 points by tourney MVP Darius Acuff Jr.

He had 19 points in 21 1/2 minutes and went 7-for-11 from the field, including 4-for-8 from 3. Johnson also had three rebounds, three assists and one steal

Johnson averaged 10 points and 15.9 minutes per game in the six games and shot 51 percent overall from the field and 42.3 percent from 3. One college coach told Dennis Johnson, Jasper’s father who is in Argentina, that it was “impossible” to play a zone defense if Jasper was in the game because of his shooting ability.

He also averaged 2.7 assists and 1.3 rebounds per game.

Kentucky coach Mark Pope was one of several college coaches recruiting Johnson to watch Team USA play.

Johnson and his teammates will return to the U.S. on Tuesday.