Jasper Johnson, right, and teammate Malachi Moreno celebrated at UK's practice after a young fan hit a free throw. (Vicky Graff Photo) 2025 Media Family Day at UK men’s basketball practice. Photo by Chet White | UK Athletics
By LARRY VAUGHT
Kentucky freshman Malachi Moreno remembers watching current NBA player Rob Dillingham during the one year he played at Kentucky. He also grew up playing against current Kentucky freshman teammate Jasper Johnson.
The 7-foot-center sees similarities between his UK teammate and Dillingham.
“I think Jasper definitely fits in the role of Rob with how shifty they are and how they can finish with both hands and finish pretty acrobatically,” Moreno said. “We’ve seen Jasper do a lot of different things, and I think drawing that comparison is a great fit.”
Moreno appreciates the way Johnson is not “afraid of the physicality” of college basketball even though he played just six minutes in the North Carolina game and went 1-for-4 from the field.
“He’s willing to take a hit to the chest if he has to, and he’s willing to make a stand defensively,” Moreno said. “He’s really, really trying to just prove himself and to really solidify that he’s one of the better freshman guards in the country.”
Senior guard Denzel Aberdeen played on Florida’s national championship team last season with some of the nation’s best guards.
“Jasper is great for us and is only going to get better,” Aberdeen said. “He’s an elite freshman that came in with elite confidence all the time. He gives 110 percent and is gonna be great for us.”
Kentucky coach Mark Pope continues to have faith that Johnson “can get where he wants to go” on the court.
“He is certainly not scared of the moment. I think he’s growing as a defensive player. I think he’s got an opportunity to be an elite level playmaking passer, especially against different ball screen looks. He just needs time right now,” Pope said.
“He’s a little bit of a deflection guy trying to make reads off ball screens, especially when there’s pressure. It’s a place where he’s capable and gonna grow. I think he’s a great option for us at the one. He’s an incredibly talented player. He’s going to be a star.”
However, going into tonight’s game in Nashville against Gonzaga, Johnson is averaging only 19 minutes per game and shooting just 36 percent from 3 — well below the mark he expected to have this year — as he adjusts to more physical play and playing fewer minutes.
One Response
Johnson needs to be the starting point guard with the understanding that he will be a pass first guard. The ball will come back to him enough where he can get his shot but he needs to get everyone else involved first.