(USA Basketball Photo)
Dennis Johnson was the USA Today National Defensive Player of the Year at Harrodsburg High School and that certainly raised the expectation level for him when he signed to play for coach Hal Mumme at home-state Kentucky rather than go to Notre Dame or Florida.
He went on to become an all-Southeastern Conference defensive lineman and played in the NFL.
Now his son, Jasper, a five-star recruit and two-time USA Basketball gold medalist, is getting ready to start his first season playing basketball for coach Mark Pope. The UK freshman’s father has tried to warn him to be mentally tough.
“I tell Jasper all the time, ‘The mental toughness part is going to be huge for you, because you’re from here. People know you. The first game, which is going to happen, you go 1-for-10 (shooting), it’s going to be bad. How mentally tough can you be?’” Dennis Johnson said on WLAP Sunday Morning Sports Talk.
While Dennis Johnson had a lot of “hype” when he got to UK, he admitted on WLAP that basketball is “magnified that much more” than football at Kentucky.
“As a father, I definitely feel a lot of pressure, because pressure comes with the territory. He has a legacy with his grandfather, his uncle, (with) what we’ve been able to accomplish at UK, so he doesn’t have a lot of pressure. He’s been able to be in those situations,” Dennis Johnson said.
“That’s the reason why me and his mother sent him to Link (Academy his junior year) and Overtime (Elite his senior season). Those lights have been as bright as they can be, then the (Nike) Hoop Summit and USA Basketball. It’s been a great experience for him.”
Jasper Johnson got a huge learning lesson at the Hoop Summit when – despite having terrific practices – he got only limited playing time in the all-star game. Dennis Johnson reminded his son of what that should have taught him.
“He came in and I think he missed two shots. They (coaches) took him right back out because they had those first five guys that wanted to play. That’s taught him to focus on, when you go into the game, you gotta be an impact player,” Dennis Johnson said.
“It’s not gonna happen all the time, but it might be a three-minute stint, and it might give you another minute or two, but it might not. It might put you on the bench, so you gotta be ready for the moment.”
I asked Dennis Johnson if he was glad his son got that learning experience when he did rather than after his college career started.
“Almost everybody has been through it. Any guy who’s gotten to this level has had to sit and watch and try to figure out your space because you’ve always been a guy,” Dennis Johnson said. “I think every student-athlete at some point has to go through it, and I’d say it’s better now than later.”
3 Responses
Jasper Johnson benefitted by playing against elite competition. When he played for Link and Overtime Elite. He was going against other 4* and 5* recruits everyday. He wasn't padding his stats against zero star guys. He could have averaged close to 45 ppg. If he would have played at Woodford County for his junior and senior year. So he's way ahead of the usual freshman playing curve. When we start the season he will look like how a 5* freshman looks at the end of there freshman season. Where they are starting to catch on more and more. I think Jasper will have a couple of huge games this year. He will be freshman all sec. Then his sophomore year he will be one of the leaders on the team. I think he's a 2 and done type guy. This year he will play behind Oweh. I do think he's neck and neck with Aberdeen. I think whoever is hotter out of the 2 has to get the nod for more playing time that game but they will switch there minutes up back and forth. I think the sky is the limit for this kid. He has a incredible attitude about him. There is 2 areas of his game that I think he can work on to become elite. It's anticipating passes, getting into the passing lane and knocking the ball down. A little more aggressive on defense and facilitating. He's a great passer but if he can take his passing to the next level Jasper will be great. I definitely think he's in the rotation. I dont think he will start but on Popes team it doesn't matter who's starting he loves to make subs and get everybody involved. We will be very fun to watch this year. I loved watching us last year. This year will be even better than last year.
Part of that mental toughness will be to stay ready even if he is option No. 3 behind Oweh and Noah. Oweh may be the SEC MVP and Noah will win the SEC 6th man award. We are 3 deep at the point and small forward spot too. This is how this team will have a shot at winning No. 9 this season as well as being a contender next year…if everybody stays around besides Oweh, Garrison, Quaintance, and Dioubate.
Great advice. Always remember, the next shot is going in. Your next defensive move will shut your opponent down. And then the next, etc. You will have bad games, mediocre games and great games. Keep your head up, confidence up and remember, BBN loves you. That name on your chest is like no other. I/we are so happy that you came to become one of us. Good luck and GO BIG BLUE!