Jasper Johnson was all smiles when he was introduced at a Kentucky game earlier this season. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Corey Frazier has developed players from high school to the NBA during his coaching career and has one word — “phenomenal” — to describe how Kentucky signee Jasper Johnson has played at Overtime Elite this season.
“Getting to know him and finding out more about him and customizing a plan on the things he wants to improve on has been great,” said Frazier. “He has been phenomenal in everything he has done. He doesn’t talk much but he is coming out of his shell. We have challenged him and he has responded.”
Johnson, a 6-4 combo guard, is playing for Overtime Elite’s RWE out of Atlanta and is averaging 20.7 points, 5.8 assists, 6.1 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game while shooting 61 percent from 2-point range and 36.3 from 3. He’s also hitting 77 percent at the foul line.
However, Frazier was thrilled at halftime of a recent game when Johnson was “getting on our bigs in a positive way” to make the team better.
“It was great to see him being a leader and accepting a role to have a voice as one of the best players to help others,” Frazier said. “I have been talking to coach (Mark) Pope about making sure his body language is good and finding his voice as a leader.”
Frazier and Johnson have spent plenty of time working on basketball skills but Frazier is making Johnson lead daily in different ways.
“When he walks in the locker room, I ask him what he has seen (on the court). At first, he shied away from that. Now he has accepted that role and has been great,” Frazier said. “You never have to challenge him to do extra things. He tells us when he’s out of class and can get on the court. He doesn’t waste a minute because he loves to work. Sometimes I have to put him out of the gym.
“His work ethic is exceptional. He has the right mindset to play beyond college. That what this is all about is for him to make a career out of basketball and never have to work and wear a suit and tie.”
Johnson has always been a prolific 3-point shooter and shot creator at the basket. Frazier has stressed the need for him to develop an in-between game. Frazier explained that every superstar player has had a midrange game.
“I have told him if you are not hitting 3’s or getting to the basket, you have got to have some other way to score,” Frazier said. “We are working on his balance and footwork to get him there.
“We are always working more on posting him up to take advantage of his size. He is so creative. He is one of the top assists guys in our league. We have always really worked on his defense. At first, I thought he was allergic to defense but now he is getting after it. He is averaging almost four steals per game now.”
Frazier said those who think Johnson is a one dimensional player are wrong. He’s had games with 11 and 10 assists in the last two weeks.
“When all the scouts and coaches call, I want to say Jasper can do everything. I want to say he is doing well and he can also do this and that,” Frazier said. “His versatility just depends on the situation. If you talk assists with him, he will lock into that. Talk rebounding and he locks into that. I think he can play both guard spots (in college) depending on what is needed.”
Johnson and his RWE teammates will be in Woodford County Sunday for the Court XIV Classic honoring his late grandfather. RWE will play Huntington Prep at 7 after Woodford County plays Taylor County and Trinity faces North Laurel.
“Our guys have recognized that game and know it is Jasper Johnson Day. We all want to make sure we 100 percent support him. We are not going to let him fail. There is no pressure on him,” Frazier said. “This is about you coming home for the final game in your home gym. I want to let people see how much he has grown and what Kentucky fans can expect in the future with him.”
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Tickets for the Court XIV Classic can be purchased here.
One Response
He’s like a deer with sneakers on.
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