Kentucky basketball is actively targeting 5-star recruit Jasper Johnson, with a decision expected in late August.
One of the most significant recruitments in the early era of Mark Pope is approaching its conclusion.
Five-star prospect Jasper Johnson is close to making his college decision, having narrowed his choices down to Kentucky, North Carolina, Alabama, Louisville, and Arkansas. Johnson has announced that he will make his decision in late August.
Johnson discussed Kentucky’s approach with 247Sports national analyst Travis Branham. “Mark Pope gives me the good message of being the hometown kid,” Johnson said. “He is consistent with me. He tells me what he wants me to do and how I can fit his offense. He really wants to coach me and he wants to start his 2025 recruiting class with me. I met the staff and got to see them practice, so it was good. He likes to take 3s in the offense and he wants me to come in and score the ball.”
Originally from Woodford County, Kentucky, Johnson transferred to the national powerhouse program Link Academy in Missouri last year and recently announced that he would be heading to Overtime Elite in Georgia for his final season.
Mark Pope has prioritized Johnson since taking over three months ago, even traveling to the FIBA U18 AmeriCup in Argentina earlier this month to watch him play. Johnson is ranked No. 10 in the 247Sports class of 2025 rankings and is the No. 2 combo guard. The 6-foot-5 prospect is a dynamic scorer who can play both on and off the ball. His athleticism enables him to excel in transition, attack the basket, and play above the rim on either end of the floor.
Can Pope secure this coveted five-star recruit? Time will tell, but these are the types of recruitments he needs to be involved in—and eventually win.
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