Jasper Johnson feels 'very comfortable' with taking on more point guard responsibilities

The Big Blue Nation will all be hoping Jaland Lowe‘s shoulder injury suffered in Friday’s Blue-White Game is insignificant, but in the event he does have to miss time moving forward, Kentucky will have some built-in options as the fill-in point guard.

Denzel Aberdeen, who rounded out Florida’s national championship-winning backcourt last season, is an obvious option. Sophomore Collin Chandler mentioned that he’s been playing spot minutes at point guard during practice. Both will likely get a crack at being the Wildcats’ PG1 if Lowe is out for an extended period of time, but freshman Jasper Johnson is another interesting option who could get a look.

If Johnson’s name is called to lead the offense, he feels up to the task — and he believes his teammates all feel similarly if they’re the ones asked to do the same.

“I’m very comfortable,” Johnson said after the Blue-White Game about possibly playing more minutes at point guard. “I know (Lowe) may go down, but we are a team. I know everybody’s willing to step up into that role. I know he’s a big part of our team right now, playing the one, being the head of our snake. We’re all still being with him through this process, we don’t know much detail of this injury.

“But I know me, along with the rest of my teammates, are all ready to step up and do whatever we need to get wins.”

We should be clear that there is no official diagnosis of Lowe’s right shoulder injury. He went down in the second half of the Blue-White Game after getting tangled up with Otega Oweh. Head coach Mark Pope said afterward he would know more the following morning. Lowe was heard telling the trainer that his shoulder “popped out”, but that’s all we can confidently say we know as of right now.

Johnson will be one of a few options that could take over point guard responsibilities for Kentucky. It would likely be a by-committee approach, much like it was last season when Lamont Butler, Jaxson Robinson, and Kerr Kriisa all dealt with injuries. Johnson shot the ball well in the Blue-White Game, finishing with 10 points on 4-7 shooting (2-3 3PT). But he did turn the ball over three times and did not register an assist.

Even still, this was just the exhibition before the actual exhibitions. Johnson is only getting better as the preseason rolls along.

“I’ve been adjusting to the physicality, trying to get more reps, watch film. Really trying to be a step ahead mentally,” Johnson said. “I know I may not be the biggest on the floor, so just knowing where I need to be at all times with my communication, I know will help me out.

“Just trying to gain weight, extra lifting sessions with Randy in the weight room, eating more, getting better with my nutrition, just doing whatever I can to be ready for game one.”

Kentucky has the talent to fill in the point guard gaps, but in any case, it sure would be nice if Lowe isn’t out for an extended period.

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