Jasper Johnson won a gold medal with USA Basketball in Argentina this summer. (USA Basketball Photo)
As former Woodford County standout Jasper finishes AAU play at Peach Jam, the end-of-season Nike EYBL event in North Augusta, S.C., rumors continue to swirl about a possible college commitment.
Several recruiting analysts have indicated the 6-4 southpaw guard could make his college choice very soon and have North Carolina and Alabama as the two most likely choices with Kentucky third.
However, Dennis Johnson, Jasper’s father and a former all-SEC football player at UK and NFL veteran, said Thursday the family just had its first “family conversation” about his future earlier in the day.
“We had about a 2 1/2-hour family meeting to discuss a whole bunch of things. There has been a lot of stuff out there (on social media). Some is accurate, some is not,” Dennis said. “We needed to meet just to get our thoughts together, especially with the way Jasper has been gone so much this summer to different events. I think we are moving in the right direction now.”
The decision making process also involves where Jasper Johnson will play next season. He helped Woodford reach the 2023 state tournament semifinals before going to Link Academy, one of the nation’s top prep schools, last season.
“We will decide where he will play next year by Saturday at the earliest or Monday,” Dennis Johnson said.
The Johnsons will visit Overtime Elite Saturday — Rob Dillingham spent his final high school season there before coming to UK — and then decide between OTE and returning to Woodford for his final high school season.
“Link Academy was great for him. My mom said he is so much more mature off the court now, so much more structured,” Dennis said. “The other part is continual development. We have to make sure the basketball piece continues to work. Everybody can tell you that you will be great but that’s not the route we want to hear. We want him to be a place where he will continue to develop his game. We have to make sure the basketball piece works.”
Would picking Overtime Elite indicate UK is not the likely college choice or would picking Woodford indicate UK likely would be the choice?
“Jasper’s college choice will not be impacted by what he does next year. Those are two different choices. Next year is about the development of Jasper as a person and basketball player,” Dennis said.
Financial considerations will not influence either decision like some have speculated.
“We have already turned down money for AAU or prep schools,” Dennis said. “
Dennis Johnson also said despite the social media info that his son is down to three possible schools, no calls have been made to any college coaches eliminating them from consideration. Jasper has even indicated he would like to visit Arkansas where former UK coach John Calipari and several former UK coaches are now if the logistics can be worked out soon with his upcoming camp schedule.
“We both get calls non-stop from coaches,” Dennis said. “I kind of have a routine with the coaches. It seems like I am on the phone with coaches, financial guys, reporters all the time. I try to talk to everybody. I never want to burn a bridge or not be respectful.”
The Johnsons have not set a definite timeline for a college choice other than Dennis wants it to be “sooner and not later” to keep from dragging out the choice two or three more months.
“He could go into the season without making a decision but he has seen all of them except for (UK coach Mark) Pope in game settings and will not be able to see him until November (when UK plays its first game),” Dennis said. “Everything needs a timeline. Business acquisitions have a timeline.”
Pope obviously got a late start with Jasper since he was not hired at UK until mid-April.
“I talked to Mark for 45 minutes on the phone the other day. Jasper has been over there several times and they want us to come on an official visit,” Dennis said. “He might want to sneak in there again before he does anything (decision-wise).”
Jasper has several major invitational camps for elite players coming up and Dennis joked it “would be hard to find time for a commitment” because Jasper is so busy.
“He has a lot of things to consider but has a lot of really good options and that’s why he’ll be getting some things settled pretty soon,” Dennis said.
4 Responses
I think he chooses Arkansas. That’s just my opinion. When I say I think, then it’s just an opinion. Your opinion could be different than mine. I honestly would rather have Hudson Greer, Moreno, Magwood, and someone else. We need to bring in at least 4 freshman every year. 7 guys are gone after this year. That leaves 5 Guys. So 4 freshman 5 returnees. That’s 9 and then grab the best 4 available in the transfer portal. I honestly don’t that Jasper’s game is Popes game. He is more of a Calapari/Davis type of player. I think it comes down to North Carolina and Arkansas and he goes to Arkansas. The staff at Arkansas has been recruiting him for a couple of years. Pope just started a couple of months ago. He is a dribble drive type of player and I wish him well with whatever he chooses.
Agreed, Cal drug in a national championship team his first/ second year – but “ that was that “.
With coach Pope we need to stay patient and look at the long game – but not more than 4 years.
The big kid from New Zealand has reclassified to 2024. 7;2", 290 and the kid can play. Pope has a good shot at him with the 13th scholarship. This kid would give us frontcourt skill and depth that teams only dream about.
I would love for him to play on this year’s team he would definitely be insurance down low.