Jasper Johnson shines in Team USA's dismantling of New Zealand

Team USA’s U19 team continued their dominant run in the FIBA World Cup on Saturday in Switzerland. Now Kentucky guard Jasper Johnson will get a change to play for a gold medal on Sunday in this international event.

Let’s just say it was a long night for New Zealand. On Fourth of July weekend, USA basketball continued to roll with a 120-61 victory. We nearly got a Team USA by 90 result.

Jasper Johnson finished the blowout win with 14 points on 11 field goal attempts with three three-point field goals in 18 minutes on the floor. Team USA was plus-12 with Jasper on the floor.

Good Defense ⏭️ Good Offense @BruhJasperJ #USABMU19 x #FIBAU19 pic.twitter.com/l6pff4Ehov

— USABJNT (@usabjnt) July 5, 2025

The top-25 recruit continues to impress in this international event. Before Jasper’s big performance, the guard was averaging 7.4 points, 1.4 assists, 1.2 rebounds, and one steal in 14.6 minutes off the bench while shooting 42.1 percent (8-of-19) from long range. Jasper is now shooting 42.3 percent (11-of-26) from downtown in this event. Kentucky’s young guard has shown some offensive efficiency that should translate to the next level. Many in the college basketball online community are taking notice.

“If Jasper Johnson is hitting shots from deep, you are at his mercy. The Kentucky guard is so crafty off the bounce that if you have to close out tight, he’s tough to stay in front of,” Field of 68 analyst Terrence Oglesby wrote on Twitter/X on Saturday. “I think he’ll have some big games this year, but the physicality of the SEC is different.”

Jasper Johnson’s skill and scoring potential has shown up in Switzerland. Now we’ll need to see how the young player will transition to the physicality of college basketball but we know this potential diaper dandy can get buckets.

Team USA will face Germany on Sunday in the gold medal game. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. CT.