Otega Oweh is proud of his 'son' Jasper Johnson: 'He could do that with his eyes closed.'

You never know when they’re coming, but Jasper Johnson‘s red-hot scoring runs always come at the most convenient times for Kentucky and bring the best out of Big Blue Nation. The Lexington native had another one in him in the win over Ole Miss, turning a four-point deficit with 10:11 on the clock in the first half into a four-point lead at the 7:22 mark — an individual 8-0 run to kick-start the offense and get fans on their feet with the sleepy morning start.

He’d finish with 11 points, good for third on the team, on 4-8 shooting while adding two rebounds and two assists in 17 minutes. It’s his second straight double-figure scoring outing when earning double-digit minutes, pushing that total to four of his last five with 12 at No. 24 Tennessee, 11 vs. Bellarmine and 22 vs. NC Central.

After a long wait, his role is finally expanding — and it should only grow from here with Jaland Lowe out for the year. And to his credit, he’s making the most of it when his number is called. That’s why Otega Oweh is proud of his son for fighting through adversity with inconsistent playing time and stepping up to help the team.

Wait, son? His words, not mine.

“My son did good, bro,” Oweh joked afterward. “He was hooping.”

When you have that kind of relationship, you’re certain to have learned something from your mentor along the way, right? Johnson scoffed at the idea the senior guard has impacted his development in any way.

“Nah, I ain’t learned nothing from Otega,” he responded with a smile. “I mean, he had a great second half. Didn’t really do anything in the first half.”

Kidding aside, there is obviously a ton of respect between the two with Oweh making it clear he has an unwavering belief in the Lexington native’s production and ability. What he did against the Rebels — or any game, for that matter — is exactly what he expects from Johnson whenever he takes the floor.

You don’t become a top-25 recruit out of high school by accident.

“It’s only a matter of time for Jasper,” he said. “He’s so confident that any shot is bound to go in.” 

When a shot doesn’t fall for Johnson, it’s usually the rim’s fault — at least that’s how he feels every time he fires one up there.

“It’s just a matter of if the hoop is messing with him that day,” Oweh continued. “He came in and really he was a spark for us. … Jasper, he could do that with his eyes closed, so it was no shocker.”

Johnson has actually learned plenty from Oweh, obviously. If you don’t lean on your All-SEC senior for advice as a first-year player in the conference — especially at Kentucky — that’s on you.

The best words of wisdom he’s received apply to both players, conveniently. Good things happen to each of them when they’re aggressive and look to go into takeover mode. The rookie got his run in the first half, then the vet got his in the second, scoring 20 after the break himself.

“He always tells me when I get in the game to be aggressive and attack,” Johnson said of Oweh. “Playing a lot of ones with him, he knows how good I can be and how I can contribute to the team. He’s definitely been a good leader, he’s somebody that I joke around with and stuff like that.”

Credit where it’s due, returning the favor to No. 00 after getting their friendly jabs out of the way.

“Nah, he had a great game,” he said.

Like father, like son? Don’t tell Jasper that.