I didn’t see anything on the front page about it but if it’s been posted, please delete.
Jasper Johnson
- Thread starter ThrowBackCat9
- Start date
He hasn’t picked a school yet. He’s playing for OTE his senior season and isn’t reclassifying. Same team Dillingham played for.
Doubt he comes to UK after this decision. Gets him out of the state and takes pressure off him to commit to home state school.
I hope the posters claiming we have to get him now see the kid wasn’t going to give Pope a chance unless absurd promises were made. And I think every actual UK fan saw this past year how big promises can ruin a team
I think he’s still going to college, he’s just not playing his senior year of HS at Woodford County.
I think he doesn't want the pressure of picking UK. He's removing himself from the situation.
You’re free to your opinion but I disagree.
That's the beauty of discussion. Thank you for being kind about it.
You’re welcome! You’ve always been kind to me and you’re right, that’s the beauty of discussion.
I’m not sure he will end up at UK but to my understanding, this is the same team Dillingham played for. With NIL and HS players having agents, I’m thinking that might have more to do with his decision to play his senior year elsewhere.
You don’t know the kid but make these claims as if they were facts. What big promises does he want since you know? He’s made 6 visits and had one just last month but isn’t giving Pope a chance? Based on what?
Going to OTE Elite has nothing to do with someone's college eligibility. That's where Dillingham, Burks, Knox, and Cyril all were and while most want to erase the recent Calipari era from their minds, it's pretty simple to apply to any question about eligibility. My concern for Johnson going OTE route is he ends up like Knox-taking questionable "degree of difficulty" shot attempts in some Tin Cup like obsession to show he can make a shot off a tough move rather than play efficient winning basketball. Too many "trainers" influencing the game and make players think they are playing a game of H-O-R-S-E within an actual game rather than functional, winning basketball. If you can beat the defender off the dribble and score at the rim every time-why take reverse spin step backs and miss the shot?
He played at Link Academy in Branson Missouri, now he’s moving to OTE in Atlanta.
Link was very disappointing last year--thought Tre Johnson digressed and Jasper was in between with is role-not sure what they wanted from him. Could be why Baylor hasn't gotten a leg up with his coach from there now on Staff (Bill Armstrong).
Jasper when he plays to his talent/strengths is a fantastic player. When he's treating games like personal workouts-he's unwatchable and most coaches won't want to deal with that crap (trainer influenced play)
From Kyle Tucker's article this morning:
"Pope’s problem? This doesn’t appear to be a 2-foot putt. Despite Johnson’s proximity to the program and his family’s allegiance — his mother is “the biggest Kentucky fan,” a cousin of former UK football star Craig Yeast — Johnson grew up a North Carolina basketball fan."
Sounds like they didn't do a good job parenting
(joking -- sort of)
"Pope’s problem? This doesn’t appear to be a 2-foot putt. Despite Johnson’s proximity to the program and his family’s allegiance — his mother is “the biggest Kentucky fan,” a cousin of former UK football star Craig Yeast — Johnson grew up a North Carolina basketball fan."
Sounds like they didn't do a good job parenting
(joking -- sort of)Not into that kind personality. Just obtuse.From Kyle Tucker's article this morning:
"Pope’s problem? This doesn’t appear to be a 2-foot putt. Despite Johnson’s proximity to the program and his family’s allegiance — his mother is “the biggest Kentucky fan,” a cousin of former UK football star Craig Yeast — Johnson grew up a North Carolina basketball fan."
Sounds like they didn't do a good job parenting
Pass.
If Jasper isn’t playing for UK then then he damn sure wasnt raised right. If he doesn’t know the meaning of playing for the name on your chest at UK then who else would. If the kid is just searching for cash that fine.
So we should require purity tests? Maybe loyalty oaths?
Or maybe a kid wants to make the best decision for himself. Doesn’t mean that always leads him to Lexington.
Trashing players, trashing former players, to now trashing recruits. These are the people judging the character of recruits that they don’t know, have never met, and has never been for anything but being a good kid.
Someone get Pope on the line and tell him message board posters pass. Gotta stop recruiting him immediately.
Someone get Pope on the line and tell him message board posters pass. Gotta stop recruiting him immediately.
Imagine growing up in Lexington with UK fan/alum parents during the John Wall/Fox+Monk/SGA, etc years and rooting for UNC instead for some reason. Who's even the coolest player he would remember? Theo Pinson? Marcus Paige? Some kids want to be different just because they can be. Add in the comment about playing for a coach who has worked with NBA players before and this one doesn't seem like the type of kid who's gonna end up at UK.From Kyle Tucker's article this morning:
"Pope’s problem? This doesn’t appear to be a 2-foot putt. Despite Johnson’s proximity to the program and his family’s allegiance — his mother is “the biggest Kentucky fan,” a cousin of former UK football star Craig Yeast — Johnson grew up a North Carolina basketball fan."
Sounds like they didn't do a good job parenting
North Carolina is where he is going. And that’s ok. We will recruit great players here. It’s time for the prima Donna’s to find out that the days of calling the shots here have reverted back to where they’re supposed to be….with the head coach. Nothing promised…you earn it. Quite refreshing
So a Kentucky kid is now a prima donna based on what exactly?
Someone who grew up in Kentucky with their family being former players for UK, his mom being a huge UK fan, and then deciding to be a fan of a rival school for some reason sounds like a massive douche. We’ve all known those people in our lives - the “contrarians” and they’re generally awful. UNCfaninky comes to mind as well as UKO, two of the worst posters in the history of message boards.
If Johnson wants to come, would love to have him. If he doesn’t, wish him no ill will. Next man up!
Most of the 5 stars and some of the 4 stars are going with the coach they think can get them to the NBA as quickly as possible + NIL $. Cal started it and made it very appealing for the players.
That is not what Pope is selling. So, especially early in his tenure, he will be passed over by those who have been around the top 15 the longest, because they are likely the ones who absolutely believe they are the next lottery pick, have a long standing relationship with a head coach and the best NIL.
They ones Pope will likely get until he shows he can coach at the big time level and get a player to the first round(Robinson) will likely be 4 stars and possibly kids who are late bloomers(Cenac, Ament, Yessefou, Mullins, etc) who don’t already have a long standing relationship with a head coach.
I am ok with that.
Most of the 5 stars and some of the 4 stars are going with the coach they think can get them to the NBA as quickly as possible + NIL $. Cal started it and made it very appealing for the players.
That is not what Pope is selling. So, especially early in his tenure, he will be passed over by those who have been around the top 15 the longest, because they are likely the ones who absolutely believe they are the next lottery pick, have a long standing relationship with a head coach and the best NIL.
They ones Pope will likely get until he shows he can coach at the big time level and get a player to the first round(Robinson) will likely be 4 stars and possibly kids who are late bloomers(Cenac, Ament, Yessefou, Mullins, etc) who don’t already have a long standing relationship with a head coach.
I am ok with that.
I expect them to be men, tell the coaches they’re not interested so they can mark them off the list and focus on other players. Their are plenty of players that can play that won’t hold the team hostage.
Respectfully, casting aspersions and sitting in judgement of 17, 18 year olds making the most important decisions of their lives doesn’t sit well with me.
It comes off as sour grapes.
Wasn’t Arkansas on his short list? I have a feeling he’s headed to there. Cals been recruiting him a long time.
Based on nothing. These people create their own reality, they’re completely clueless, have no relationship with him, no actual meaningful information, they just create their own reality.
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What’s more believable?
Unfounded and downright conspiratorial allegations about “promises” or he and his family don’t feel Mark Pope and Kentucky are the best choice for his future.
Unfounded and downright conspiratorial allegations about “promises” or he and his family don’t feel Mark Pope and Kentucky are the best choice for his future.
Or this has nothing to do with Kentucky and everything to do with playing with some of the best high school players & developing. Realistically, the chances he was staying in state for HS were slim -- just like they were with Rondo, Tyran Stokes, DeAngelo Russell, many others. Guys like Reed Sheppard (the high 5 star guys) staying at county schools is the exception more than rule in 2024.
Doesn't necessarily hurt or help Kentucky. It just is.
Doesn't necessarily hurt or help Kentucky. It just is.
You know, this really probably boils down to Jasper, at one point, thinking he was maybe playing for Cal/UK.. and now it's Pope/UK, which we all know, is still an unknown.
It sucks if he doesn't come here, but we all kind of knew this transition was coming. It's going to take a year or two before Pope can really start to reel them in, and it's not like he's just being given recruits like Scheyer is. He actually has to earn it.
But I suspect in a year from now, Jasper Johnson might be kicking himself for not coming here. I know it's a scrimmage, and it's early.. but it's still impressive what our team was able to do in a mid-July scrimmage against past great (and experienced) UK players.
It sucks if he doesn't come here, but we all kind of knew this transition was coming. It's going to take a year or two before Pope can really start to reel them in, and it's not like he's just being given recruits like Scheyer is. He actually has to earn it.
But I suspect in a year from now, Jasper Johnson might be kicking himself for not coming here. I know it's a scrimmage, and it's early.. but it's still impressive what our team was able to do in a mid-July scrimmage against past great (and experienced) UK players.