Woodford County’s Jasper Johnson thrilled to pick up UK offer

It’s always a treat for the Big Blue Nation when they’re afforded the opportunity to follow a Kentucky Wildcats recruitment without leaving the state.

The Commonwealth obviously doesn’t produce a large quantity of UK-caliber talent as compared to other larger states.

Therefore, it’s always exciting when a hometown kid shows enough promise for Coach Calipari to get involved.

Woodford County’s Jasper Johnson is a special player in the class of 2025 and recently picked up an offer from Kentucky.

Currently measuring 6-foot-4, it’s clear that Johnson still has some growing to do and will ultimately end up with tremendous size at the guard position.

I was able to see Woodford County play against Jeffersontown in the first round of the KHSAA Sweet 16 and was immediately impressed with how smoothly Johnson operated for just being a sophomore.

Last season, he knocked down 40% of his attempts from three while averaging 12 points a game on a very good Woodford County team that went all the way to the Final Four.

Most are expecting Johnson to take a huge leap in his junior season, considering he’s already making waves on the AAU scene.

Recently, UK assistant coach Orlando Antigua watched Johnson at the EYBL’s stop out in Phoenix, and it wasn’t long after that he found himself in John Calipari’s office.

“He wants me to go out there and be the best player in the country. I think he really believes in me. That was a motivation for me. And then he told me he was going to offer me. I said, ‘Thank you, coach.’” Johnson told KSR’s Jack Pilgrim.

Johnson also discussed the excitement of getting an offer from Kentucky, where

“This one was definitely big, I’d say. For my family, my community, I grew up here, and I know everybody wanted me to have the chance to be able to play at Kentucky,” Johnson said. “That makes a big impact.”

Pilgrim’s outstanding article details Johnson’s visit with Calipari, his family, and several other neat tidbits. You can read it all here.