Five-star recruit Jasper Johnson, center, hopes to do more free autograph signings for UK fans during the season.
Jasper Johnson has played in all-star showcase games across the country since his Overtime Elite season ended and even spent a week in California training with some of the nation’s elite high school and college players, including Duke’s Cooper Flagg.
Johnson is now on campus at Kentucky starting to prepare for his freshman season under coach Mark Pope. However, he recently held a free meet-and-greet with Kentucky fans at Playa Bowl in Lexington.
“It was really, really good,” Johnson said. “Got to meet a lot of fans and signing autographs for some people was really cool. There are a lot of good people in the city who have supported me and people also came from other places.
“Knowing how big this fanbase is and how much these people really care about us each and every day is amazing.”
Johnson said he would “definitely” like to do other events like that when time permits.
“I feel it is always good to go out and meet people. Networking but also hearing people’s different stories is cool,” the 6-4 guard said. “Some people were fans of my father (former UK all-SEC defensive lineman Dennis Johnson) and were telling me stories about him, so that’s always good, too.”
Jasper Johnson also continues to appreciate the lessons he learned from his late grandfather, Alvis Johnson. He has a tattoo on his calf honoring Alvis Johnson, the long-time football and track coach at Harrodsburg High School as well as the school’s athletics director.
“My grandfather always told me to play and fear nobody,” Jasper Johnson. “He was one of the people who really introduced me to sports. He coached my dad and uncle and a lot of great athletes at Harrodsburg. Every time I go back (to Harrodsburg) everybody’s telling me how great he was as a person and a coach.
“I know he’s living through me and watching me. He’s in the back of my mind every time I go on the court. My grandfather was a great man and he left a great legacy.”
One Response
Jasper Johnson his sophomore year he will be all American status. Like I said I wasn’t high on him until I actually watched him play a couple of times. The competition he played against was all D1 athletes. He completely dominated the competition. Which like I said wasn’t no powered puffs. He also shares the ball and usually finds the open man. The reason he took so many shots is because he can get to the lane and around the defender with ease. It’s almost like he makes basketball look like its a very easy sport. I think he is ready right now. On most teams he would be the starting point guard or 2 guard but we are so deep with talent I think he will be the 6th-8th man. I think because we have so much experience we won’t need him to do to much. Just play valuable minutes this year and help them team win some games. When Lowe departs Johnson will take his place and has a higher ceiling. I think Chandler will take Owehs spot Williams will take Mo-Ds spot. Jelavic will take JQs spot and Moreno will take Garrisons spot or Garrison could come back for a big senior season?! Anyway we are set for this year and next year and we are only going to get better and better from here on out.