Even though Coach John Calipari switched SEC schools from Kentucky to Arkansas last April, his replacement Mark Pope is still bringing in the cream of the recruiting crop. Pope convinced former McDonald’s All-American Brandon Garrison to transfer in from Oklahoma State last April, received a commitment from 1 of the best big men in the Class of 2025 Malachi Moreno last August, and just last month he got a commitment from 5-star prospect Jasper Johnson. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Jasper while he was wrapping up his weekend at USA Basketball Junior National Team minicamp.
You were born/raised in Kentucky: how big is basketball in the Bluegrass State? It is very big: there are not many professional teams in the area so high school/college basketball is what everyone watches.
You had scholarship offers from several great schools including Alabama/Arkansas/Louisville/North Carolina but committed to Kentucky last month: what was the biggest factor in your decision? It was a long process: I prayed and talked to my family about it and that was where my heart was.
You are 6’4” but have a 6’8” wingspan: how much of an advantage is your length on the court? It helps me out a lot on defense: I can get into passing lanes and contest shots.
Last June you played for Team USA at the 2024 FIBA Men’s U18 AmeriCup: what did it mean to you to represent your country, and what did it mean to you to win a gold medal? It meant a lot to do it for all my family/supporters. It was very special to wear that USA jersey: not a lot of kids get that opportunity.
What position do you play for Overtime Elite, and what position will you feel most comfortable at in college? I play PG/combo guard right now and will probably do the same thing at Kentucky. I will do whatever Coach Mark Pope tells me to do.
As part of your NIL deal both you and your family received new vehicles: how do you like your Ford F-150 Raptor truck? I have not received it yet: they are still customizing some pieces for me, but I think it is getting shipped to me in Atlanta soon!
Your father Dennis was an all-SEC defensive end at Kentucky and played 3 years in the NFL: who is the best athlete in the family? He gets on my case and tells me how good he was back in the day…but it is definitely me!
This weekend you were at the USA Basketball Junior National Team minicamp, with more than 80 of the nation’s other top high school basketball prospects: how did it go, and which of your fellow prospects impressed you the most? It went well. There are a lot of guys here who are performing well, including some of my gold medal teammates from last summer.
1 of those prospects is fellow Kentucky native Malachi Moreno: how well do you know your future Wildcat teammate? Malachi is my guy! He is out here competing hard and blocking shots: he is a good big man.
I have seen you projected as a top-7 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft: if all goes well as a freshman then will we see you going pro in 2026? I think God has a plan for me so I will try to do my best, and if the opportunity to go pro presents itself then I will give it a shot.