Jasper Johnson

[BlueBlood96Cat]

If he signed with any other school like Bama Arky Kansas UNC … would he play? Ik he was barely a five star or some say he was a four star but im still just lost when it comes to him.


I consider him a five star guard. It’s not adding up to me how he can’t be way more than Terry Pravis was for us last year.


So is he just not that good or is Popes style completely off to where players don’t thrive and obviously players don’t want to go play.


my main question is if he signed with Oats would he have been on the court for 15-20 minutes or would other coaches have him sitting on the bench.


yes ik when he’s gotten in it hasn’t been the best but also that’s why you play and work stuff out!! That’s just my opinion tho. Why not have him ready when we are short guards in the first place.

Is he that bad?

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

If he signed with any other school like Bama Arky Kansas UNC … would he play? Ik he was barely a five star or some say he was a four star but im still just lost when it comes to him.


I consider him a five star guard. It’s not adding up to me how he can’t be way more than Terry Pravis was for us last year.


So is he just not that good or is Popes style completely off to where players don’t thrive and obviously players don’t want to go play.


my main question is if he signed with Oats would he have been on the court for 15-20 minutes or would other coaches have him sitting on the bench.


yes ik when he’s gotten in it hasn’t been the best but also that’s why you play and work stuff out!! That’s just my opinion tho. Why not have him ready when we are short guards in the first place.

Is he that bad?

No. I think if he played at Bama, he’d probably look pretty good. He’d have a lot more catch and shoot opportunities and wouldn’t need to make contested layups. He’s a good player in a vacuum —- he’s just not good for what we need this season

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

No. I think if he played at Bama, he’d probably look pretty good. He’d have a lot more catch and shoot opportunities and wouldn’t need to make contested layups. He’s a good player in a vacuum —- he’s just not good for what we need this season

Just seems like you recruit a player like that and then give him the ball. I can see why Pope is having trouble signing recruits. Yes he’s gonna do some dumb stuff but I’m sitting here watching seniors lose games and do dumb stuff also so that’s where I get confused. It’s not like he has top tier guards in front of him. Let the kid play ball before he is sitting with Oats next year.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Just seems like you recruit a player like that and then give him the ball. I can see why Pope is having trouble signing recruits. Yes he’s gonna do some dumb stuff but I’m sitting here watching seniors lose games and do dumb stuff also so that’s where I get confused. It’s not like he has top tier guards in front of him. Let the kid play ball before he is sitting with Oats next year.

Think it out with me: Jasper is shooting 44% from within the arc, doesn’t have an elite handle, isn’t extremely quick and not strong yet. What’s gonna happen if you just give him the ball? A lot of bad. I think the issue is that he doesn’t have any intermediate game that he’s shown. His shot form isnt conducive to dribble pull-ups either. I still think he will be really good player someday, if he’s willing to buy in on defense, be the best teammate he can be and work on crafty finish moves. He probably shouldn’t have been ranked as high as he was (I’ve always felt that way.)

 

[Zuma75]

No. I think if he played at Bama, he’d probably look pretty good. He’d have a lot more catch and shoot opportunities and wouldn’t need to make contested layups. He’s a good player in a vacuum —- he’s just not good for what we need this season

There’s no doubt that this stagnant “offense” is making everybody look worse than they are.

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

Think it out with me: Jasper is shooting 44% from within the arc, doesn’t have an elite handle, isn’t extremely quick and not strong yet. What’s gonna happen if you just give him the ball? A lot of bad. I think the issue is that he doesn’t have any intermediate game that he’s shown. His shot form isnt conducive to dribble pull-ups either. I still think he will be really good player someday, if he’s willing to buy in on defense, be the best teammate he can be and work on crafty finish moves. He probably shouldn’t have been ranked as high as he was (I’ve always felt that way.)

That’s all I’m asking is basically he was highly overrated then. I watched him play a couple times during high school. Obviously the talent isn’t good but he just doesn’t look the same.

He’s unorthodox idk if he ever fits into Popes system. Hes not ever gonna be a pg. he’s a crafty lefty with a streaky game.

he might give you three turnovers back to back or he might hit three buckets in a roll.


I just feel like if he was with Oats or Cal or Self he would be on the court way more
Ironing out the wrinkles.


He’s no worse than Collin chandler shaking out of his pants like he’s scared and picking his dribble up like we are back in elementary.

 

[Vek96]

If he signed with any other school like Bama Arky Kansas UNC … would he play? Ik he was barely a five star or some say he was a four star but im still just lost when it comes to him.


I consider him a five star guard. It’s not adding up to me how he can’t be way more than Terry Pravis was for us last year.


So is he just not that good or is Popes style completely off to where players don’t thrive and obviously players don’t want to go play.


my main question is if he signed with Oats would he have been on the court for 15-20 minutes or would other coaches have him sitting on the bench.


yes ik when he’s gotten in it hasn’t been the best but also that’s why you play and work stuff out!! That’s just my opinion tho. Why not have him ready when we are short guards in the first place.

Is he that bad?

He looks great against the weak teams. Looks like Stevie Wonder against good teams.

 

[loublue22_rivals308424]

he reminds me somewhat of Quickley as a freshman, it was perplexing why this 5 star PG couldn't take more of Hagans' minutes but he just couldn't hold up under ball pressure. Obviously IQ turned it around his second year, and Johnson is more of a SG, but it's the closest comp. He would benefit greatly if we had a great PG.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

That’s all I’m asking is basically he was highly overrated then. I watched him play a couple times during high school. Obviously the talent isn’t good but he just doesn’t look the same.

He’s unorthodox idk if he ever fits into Popes system. Hes not ever gonna be a pg. he’s a crafty lefty with a streaky game.

he might give you three turnovers back to back or he might hit three buckets in a roll.


I just feel like if he was with Oats or Cal or Self he would be on the court way more
Ironing out the wrinkles.


He’s no worse than Collin chandler shaking out of his pants like he’s scared and picking his dribble up like we are back in elementary.

I think if he plays in a system with Oats, he probably plays reserve guard minutes but he’s never over-exposed. Coming to Kentucky was probably a bad decision for Jasper and Pope. Pope feels the need to go get him because of state ties and Jasper feels the need to live up to expectations that aren’t realistic yet. At Bama, I think he’d play less minutes but when he’s in the game, he’s getting clean looks and has a very clearly defined role. He earns more as his game progresses. I actually got heavily chastised during the Jasper recruitment on KSR+, because I didn’t see the fit. People hated me (not a place I like to be coz I’m a nice guy and I’m friendly) — this was before we had anything more than BYU Pope film, but I already thought he wasn’t a fit. “Oh he can shoot so that makes him a fit.” Didn’t matter how many times I explained what I knew about the system people said I’m a troll and I must hate the family and all kinds of stuff. I actually want Jasper to stay here and figure it out — longterm he absolutely can. But it’s gonna be a hard road

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

he reminds me somewhat of Quickley as a freshman, it was perplexing why this 5 star PG couldn't take more of Hagans' minutes but he just couldn't hold up under ball pressure. Obviously IQ turned it around his second year, and Johnson is more of a SG, but it's the closest comp. He would benefit greatly if we had a great PG.

I’ve also thought Quickley freshman is the idea. Quickly had more quickness but he wasn’t exactly an elite athlete. Jasper would do well to study IQ

 

[CELTICAT]

He looks great against the weak teams. Looks like Stevie Wonder against good teams.

got some of that CJ FredBrick cupcake masher in him

 

[Tprinceuk]

If he signed with any other school like Bama Arky Kansas UNC … would he play? Ik he was barely a five star or some say he was a four star but im still just lost when it comes to him.


I consider him a five star guard. It’s not adding up to me how he can’t be way more than Terry Pravis was for us last year.


So is he just not that good or is Popes style completely off to where players don’t thrive and obviously players don’t want to go play.


my main question is if he signed with Oats would he have been on the court for 15-20 minutes or would other coaches have him sitting on the bench.


yes ik when he’s gotten in it hasn’t been the best but also that’s why you play and work stuff out!! That’s just my opinion tho. Why not have him ready when we are short guards in the first place.

Is he that bad?

I feel if he was in Perry's spot with last years roster he would be incredibly effective, but with this roster he doesn't have the freedom of a 4 or 5 out offense where the ball and players are constantly moving.

 

[FitchandMurray29]

I’d move on from Jasper if I was Pope next season.

New rule for my outlook and recruiting(including transfer) philosophy for any player making 7 figures.

I have to be able to bank on how you score in the half court in college basketball. Are you a stretch big? Force in the post I can throw it into consistently? Can you run off various actions as a sniper? Can you consistently beat your man off the dribble and finish at the rim?

If Pope can’t say yes for any of the above for a player then let them walk. These B/C level players, tweeners where you say “kinda” or “maybe” to the above? Let someone else pay them.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

I’d move on from Jasper if I was Pope next season.

New rule for my outlook and recruiting(including transfer) philosophy for any player making 7 figures.

I have to be able to bank on how you score in the half court in college basketball. Are you a stretch big? Force in the post I can throw it into consistently? Can you run off various actions as a sniper? Can you consistently beat your man off the dribble and finish at the rim?

If Pope can’t say yes for any of the above for a player then let them walk. These B/C level players, tweeners where you say “kinda” or “maybe” to the above? Let someone else pay them.

Good point. Never thought of it that way. All these players with no natural position may factor into the lack of identity

 

[mash_24]

Seems to just be floating around out there. Probably habits formed from time spent in AAU and whatever prep program he was in. Watching him this year, my thoughts are he either doesn’t know how to play hard or he doesn’t have a clue what he’s doing. I’m rooting for him to get it, but he doesn’t need to play till he does.

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

I feel if he was in Perry's spot with last years roster he would be incredibly effective, but with this roster he doesn't have the freedom of a 4 or 5 out offense where the ball and players are constantly moving.

Makes perfect sense. This year just looks so unorganized. I still don’t feel this seasons problems are because of talent. There is a disconnect somewhere seems like and I’m the last person to get into rumors and drama.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

It really feels like we have missed on half of our 5-star recruits even going back to Cals final few years. So many let down, and even a good deal of total duds.

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

Seems to just be floating around out there. Probably habits formed from time spent in AAU and whatever prep program he was in. Watching him this year, my thoughts are he either doesn’t know how to play hard or he doesn’t have a clue what he’s doing. I’m rooting for him to get it, but he doesn’t need to play till he does.

That’s what it seems like to me is he’s lost. He most definitely can’t play his game because he’s at UK and he understands the pressure. Hes probably doing everything his coach is asking him to do to the best of his ability. Instead of playing basketball and flowing naturally the whole team is just lost \ unorganized. That’s Popes fault.


maybe I should just ease up on the whole team including Pope this year and let it play out. I hate being negative all the time but this team is frustrating as hell.

 

[true-blue1]

Jasper, has potential but he has to get stronger and have a better understanding of his role. He’s just not ready yet.

 

[Dr.LutherSan]

Just seems like you recruit a player like that and then give him the ball. I can see why Pope is having trouble signing recruits. Yes he’s gonna do some dumb stuff but I’m sitting here watching seniors lose games and do dumb stuff also so that’s where I get confused. It’s not like he has top tier guards in front of him. Let the kid play ball before he is sitting with Oats next year.

As long as they are both wearing blue.

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

As long as they are both wearing blue.

Would be nice

 

[KyCPA2000]

This team badly needs a PG like Brandon Knight. It would turn this team into what we all thought it would be.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

This team badly needs a PG like Brandon Knight. It would turn this team into what we all thought it would be.

Hell, I’d sign up for a Brandon Stockton at this point (joking)

 

[Kingslayer07]

He looks great against the weak teams. Looks like Stevie Wonder against good teams.

This pretty much sums it up lol.

 

[SkyPrince]

Spending the last two years of HS at Link and OTE didn't develop his game and he didn't exactly burn it up on the AAU circuit.
He is probably the most physically weak guard I have seen come into the program in some time.
He probably hits the portal at seasons end.

 

[Crazy4Blue]

Jasper has not shown anything yet. He is not a bigtime freshman player. He isn't a freshman like Cal got in his early UK days. He may become good but I haven't seen anything promising from him yet. He remind me of Aberdeen, who I am not impressed with at all.

 

[TFCat11]

Jasper Johnson was NOT a 5*, no matter how much some fans want to pretend he was

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

Jasper has not shown anything yet. He is not a bigtime freshman player. He isn't a freshman like Cal got in his early UK days. He may become good but I haven't seen anything promising from him yet. He remind me of Aberdeen, who I am not impressed with at all.

Yes I haven’t been impressed with Johnson and I see the same things yall see I was just wondering if he could at least give us what Perry could. Is it safe to say Perry is more serviceable?

 

[bigblueinsanity (the real)]

We payed elite one and done money to a multi year project. He's way too weak, plays too high, poor shot selection, cant defend.

He's lucky to get any pt at all. Hes really lucky he came along when Pope desperately needed a recruiting win.

 

[preston-lemasterpiece]

do you trust Pope to develop talent? or put that talent in the position to succeed?

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

do you trust Pope to develop talent? or put that talent in the position to succeed?

Not sure. Would like to see Jackson Robinson all three years of Pope.

 

[Farsight Clone]

Jasper Johnson should be the 6th or 7th guy off the bench. His build is skinny and his defense is suspect. Yet he can create his own shot. He can be an offensive weapon. Again, I keep on saying this. Jasper needs to make a bucket or two to get into the flow of the game. This is why he tries to create one himself. After that, he is "more" likely to play team ball.

Now, there are two sides of the coin for this.

1. We have zero offensive flow, last time we had it was spurts of Indiana and spurts of St. Johns. We had a full offense against Purdue. Last game we had it against competition. This is one major reason why I think Jasper tries to get his own shot.

2. He should be more of a team player and let the game come to him. His struggles are A) Mental, because he has to get a bucket. B) lack of defense.

The problem is not necessarily Jasper.

The problem is Pope.

He has not been using these guys correctly at all. He clearly misevaluated them to fit his scheme.

I said this 3x already in other threads.

Aberdeen was better at Florida because Golden used him correctly.

Mo D Is great, but can be better, and destroyed us at Rupp last year. Oweh could not get a shot off that game.

Pope has no idea how to use this team at all. Its been clear.

To go back to Jasper, Pope needs to keep him in the game for 5+ minutes against good competition and find ways for him to score.

Lowe can do it, but Lowe's Assist ratio is terrible. There is way too many iso with him. Why is he allowed to get his own bucket but Jasper can't?

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Jasper, has potential but he has to get stronger and have a better understanding of his role. He’s just not ready yet.

Yeah he can’t play in big time games, he also doesn’t make good decisions most of the time with the ball. He has talent to be very good but he needs to get way stronger. He also would benefit being on a team with people who pass the ball, including himself.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Spending the last two years of HS at Link and OTE didn't develop his game and he didn't exactly burn it up on the AAU circuit.
He is probably the most physically weak guard I have seen come into the program in some time.
He probably hits the portal at seasons end.

Yeah it’s remarkable someone who has talent like him and a potential gold mine future wouldn’t get in way better physical shape.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

We payed elite one and done money to a multi year project. He's way too weak, plays too high, poor shot selection, cant defend.

He's lucky to get any pt at all. Hes really lucky he came along when Pope desperately needed a recruiting win.

It’s a product of Pope and staff not being able to recruit. We had to pay star money to get backups to come here.

 

[Drogon]

It's like watching a slightly shorter Brandon Boston out there. A complete lack of functional strength. The rest of his game is hindered by it. Put some damn work in to your body ffs. Don't be a guy who coasts like Brandon Boston.

 

[SkyPrince]

It's like watching a slightly shorter Brandon Boston out there. A complete lack of functional strength. The rest of his game is hindered by it. Put some damn work in to your body ffs. Don't be a guy who coasts like Brandon Boston.

Boston was definitely better
There's not a single Cal guard I would put below Jasper and that includes Boston, Quade and even Jamarl Baker.
JJ may have more overall skill than Baker but in games that matter, he hasn't contributed anymore than JB did .

 

[Henogee1975]

I remember watching him in the 8th region tournament and he was very lazy. He got outplayed by Teagan Moore who is now at WKU. To be fair TM is 2 years older.

 

[wccat]

I believe it is roster construction and with the right players JJ would be playing better. It all falls back on how this team was put together. As someone stated earlier, the offense is stagnant. No movement. Lowe for as good as he is just dribbles and goes to the rim. Everyone else just stands around except for the big that sets the screen up top. As Oats stated, no one is looking to pass.

 

[bnewt]

Think it out with me: Jasper is shooting 44% from within the arc, doesn’t have an elite handle, isn’t extremely quick and not strong yet. What’s gonna happen if you just give him the ball? A lot of bad. I think the issue is that he doesn’t have any intermediate game that he’s shown. His shot form isnt conducive to dribble pull-ups either. I still think he will be really good player someday, if he’s willing to buy in on defense, be the best teammate he can be and work on crafty finish moves. He probably shouldn’t have been ranked as high as he was (I’ve always felt that way.)

then why is he being paid 1 million or what ever his pay check is?
everything you said is correct, but at this point play him & Jelavic & see if they can score
the rest of the roster is dismal