Jasper Johnson’s Recruitment Nears Decision: Kentucky, North Carolina, and Alabama in Final Contention
Jasper Johnson, a top-10 prospect in the 2025 high school class, is on the brink of making a significant decision that could impact the future of three of the most prestigious college basketball programs: Kentucky, North Carolina, and Alabama. The highly sought-after recruit is expected to announce his commitment within the next month, marking a pivotal moment in his young career.
Johnson, who grew up just 15 minutes from Rupp Arena, has deep-rooted connections to Kentucky. His father, Dennis Johnson, is a local legend and former football star at the university. New Wildcats coach Mark Pope is determined to make Johnson his first five-star recruit, aiming to establish his tenure by securing elite talent—a hallmark of his predecessor, John Calipari.
“He’s definitely got to get — he wants to get — that first big piece,” Dennis Johnson said. “He’s made it very, very clear that he wants Jasper to be the first piece of this recruiting class.”
However, despite the proximity and family ties, Kentucky is far from a lock for Johnson. Growing up, Johnson developed a strong admiration for North Carolina basketball. His affinity for the Tar Heels has been bolstered by his interactions with coach Hubert Davis and unforgettable experiences like attending a Carolina-Duke game.
“We went to Kentucky games when he was young, but he wasn’t just a die-hard,” Dennis Johnson explained. “He’s a different kid. Being this close, he understands what the lure of Kentucky basketball is, but he just loves watching basketball, period, and he always really liked Carolina.”
Alabama, under the leadership of Nate Oats, has emerged as another formidable contender. The Crimson Tide’s recent success, including an SEC championship and a Final Four appearance, coupled with Oats’ analytics-driven approach, has made the program highly attractive to Johnson.
“Their style of play is very big,” Dennis Johnson said. “Nate has talked a lot to him about style of play and analytics. We got a chance to talk to Brandon Miller, and he said, ‘I didn’t really become a greater player; it’s just that I stopped taking dumb shots because their analytics helped me know which shots were better.’ And they’re coming off a Final Four. I mean, come on. Nate’s sitting in his office pointing to the draft guys on his wall and the trophies, saying, ‘Listen, you’re not going to be an experiment for me. I’ve already done this.’”
Jasper Johnson has taken official visits to Kentucky, North Carolina, Alabama, Missouri, and Illinois, and may still visit Arkansas, where John Calipari is now coaching. Despite Kentucky’s strong pitch and family ties, the allure of playing for North Carolina or joining Alabama’s rising powerhouse is compelling.
“My mom wants me to stay home,” Jasper Johnson admitted. “She’s proud of me wherever I go, doesn’t really put any pressure on me to stay home. (But) coach Pope has really been pushing to me that I’m one of the best guards in the country, if not the best — that he’s wanting me to stay home but also prioritizing me because I’m one of the best players in the class. He always pitches to me that he wants to win a banner as well, and he sees me coming in and being a big impact from day one. Hearing that is good.”
Dennis Johnson has sought advice from former Kentucky star Jeff Sheppard, whose son, Reed, recently went from homegrown hero to Wildcats star to a one-and-done lottery pick.
“He’s been very helpful to us. He always says, ‘Do what’s best for Jasper,’” Dennis Johnson said. “It’s almost time. He’ll decide sooner than later. Whether he goes to Kentucky or he doesn’t, I want him to make the best decision for him, where he feels most comfortable.”
As the countdown to Johnson’s decision continues, the basketball world watches with bated breath. Will he stay close to home and help revive Kentucky’s storied program, follow his childhood dream to North Carolina, or join the rising force at Alabama? The answer is just weeks away, and it promises to be a game-changer for whichever program he chooses.
