As Mark Pope’s inaugural season coaching the Kentucky Wildcats continues to impress with a 14-3 overall record and a 3-1 start in SEC play, attention is also shifting to the program’s future stars. Pope, in his first year at the helm, has already secured three talented recruits for the 2025 class: guards Jasper Johnson and Acaden Lewis, and center Malachi Moreno. With the nation’s fifth-best recruiting class according to the 247Sports Composite, the Wildcats are poised to remain a powerhouse.
One recruit making waves is Jasper Johnson, a 6-foot-4 guard and five-star prospect ranked No. 16 overall in the 2025 recruiting class. Johnson, the son of former UK football player Dennis Johnson, is polishing his skills at the Atlanta-based Overtime Elite (OTE) program. His senior year at OTE has been a critical step in his development, preparing him for the demands of college basketball.
A High School Journey of Growth
Johnson’s high school journey began at Woodford County High School, where he led his team to the Sweet 16 state tournament semifinals as a sophomore in 2023. He spent his junior year at Link Academy in Missouri before transferring to OTE, where he now benefits from a professional-level training environment.
“Everything here is good for me,” Johnson said of OTE’s 24/7 basketball focus. “I’ve been lifting, getting stronger, eating right, and honing my skills on the court. Watching film and improving my basketball IQ have also been major points of growth.”
Johnson has excelled during the OTE regular season, averaging 20.7 points, 5.8 assists, and 1.9 steals per game while shooting 50% from the field and 36.3% from beyond the arc.
Focus on Physical and Technical Growth
Improving his strength and physicality has been a key focus for Johnson. “Coaches have emphasized gaining weight and getting stronger to help me drive through contact and get to the free-throw line,” Johnson said. “It’s about creating space and using my body effectively.”
This development has translated to memorable moments on the court, including a December game where Johnson hit a shot from the opposite three-point line immediately after recording a steal.
Pope and the Kentucky coaching staff have also highlighted specific areas for Johnson to refine, including his jump shot and ball handling. “Coach Pope wants me to perfect my shooting because UK takes a lot of threes. I’m also working on maintaining a high assist-to-turnover ratio,” Johnson shared.
Building Bonds with Future Teammates
Johnson’s commitment to Kentucky goes beyond his individual growth. Alongside fellow signees Acaden Lewis and Malachi Moreno, he’s fostering relationships that will translate to chemistry on the court. The trio has already been introduced to fans at Rupp Arena, receiving warm applause during a timeout at UK games.
In a standout moment, Johnson took on the role of introducing Lewis to the crowd during a New Year’s Eve victory over Brown. Despite being a reserved speaker, Johnson read a prepared script detailing Lewis’ accomplishments, adding a personal touch to the ceremony.
“Introducing Acaden was fun,” Johnson said. “It’s part of building our relationship off the court. We’re talking about life and connecting as teammates before we even step onto the court together.”
A Bright Future for Big Blue Nation
As the Wildcats look to close out a strong 2024-25 season, the additions of Johnson, Lewis, and Moreno signal an exciting future for Kentucky basketball. With his continued development at OTE and guidance from Coach Pope, Jasper Johnson is poised to make an immediate impact in Lexington and carry on the legacy of Big Blue Nation.
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