Announcement: 5-star local prospect and key Mark Pope target makes decision to join Kentucky basketball

One of Kentucky’s most significant recruiting efforts during the early stages of the Mark Pope era may be coming to an end.

A local 5-star prospect is nearing a decision, which might occur after Peach Jam. The Nike EYBL Circuit’s championship event, Peach Jam, will take place over the following week.

According to on3.com national correspondent Joe Tipton, a ‘commitment is nearing and a decision is expected after Peach Jam’.

North Carolina, Alabama, and Kentucky have been the most active programs in Johnson’s recent history. Illinois, Arkansas, and other colleges are also engaged, but they are most likely secondary to the three mentioned above.

Mark Pope has made Johnson a top priority since taking over three months ago. He demonstrated this when he went to the FIBA U18 AmeriCup in Argentina earlier this month to watch Johnson play.

Johnson is originally from Woodford County, Kentucky, but transferred to the national premier program Link Academy in Missouri last year.

Johnson is ranked No. 10 in the 247Sports class of 2025 rankings and No. 2 among combo guards. The 6-foot-5 prospect is a prolific scorer who can play both on and off the ball. His athleticism enables him to play above the rim on either end of the court while also excelling in transition and attacking the hoop.

According to Adam Finkelstein, Director of Scouting at 247Sports, Jasper Johnson is a southpaw scoring guard known for his tough shot-making ability. “He has a great soft natural touch and is very clever around the lane, with a deep bag of runners, floaters, and other types of finishes to go along with the jumpers and step-backs he can make from the perimeter. Johnson is physically thin, yet he has a plus-five wingspan.

Pope has made it a priority to key in-state kids coming to Lexington. While Johnson isn’t in the state now, he’s very much a local prospect. It’ll be interesting to see if Pope can reel him in, or if he’ll lose him to an SEC rival or another blue blood program.