The Kentucky Wildcats scored a 99-85 win over the Bellarmine Knights on Tuesday at Rupp Arena, but the spotlight might have been stolen by a rising young guard with a big opportunity: freshman Jasper Johnson.
Johnson, a former Woodford County High School standout, could be the player who gives coach Mark Pope a different kind of gift this season — one that comes on the court rather than under the Christmas tree.
With lead guard Jaland Lowe sidelined to protect a right shoulder injury, Johnson spent much of his 22 minutes directing the Wildcats’ offense. The 6-foot-5, 180-pound guard showed poise against Bellarmine’s zone defenses, finishing with 11 points and seven assists.
“I thought Jasper was really good,” Pope said after the game. “I had a lot of confidence in him today on the offensive end.”
Despite a day when Kentucky’s defense struggled — Bellarmine made 52% of its shots — the Wildcats’ perimeter attack kept them ahead. Tulane transfer Kam Williams drained 8 of 10 three-pointers for a career-high 26 points, Florida transfer Denzel Aberdeen hit 4 of 7 threes for 14 points, and veteran Otega Oweh flirted with a triple-double, posting 10 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds.
Still, it was Johnson’s ability to manage the offense in Lowe’s absence that may carry the most long-term significance. Kentucky has needed a guard who can get downhill and create offense when Lowe isn’t on the floor, and Johnson appears best positioned to fill that role.
Through 13 games, Johnson is averaging 7.3 points and 2.5 assists while shooting 40.8% from the field. Against higher-level competition, however, he’s struggled more, averaging 3.3 points on 7-of-27 shooting. Johnson said he’s working hard to adapt to the physicality of college basketball.
“I’ve been trying to get in the weight room a lot more with coach Randy (Towner), building up my frame,” he said. “I know this is not the last time my body might be a disadvantage.”
Johnson also faces the mental challenge of coming off the bench after being a high-usage star in high school. “The hardest part for me is staying ready when I don’t play a lot,” he said. “I try to stay positive, keep working, and always be a benefit to the team.”
Although Johnson arrived at Kentucky with a reputation as a dynamic scorer, his emerging value this season may lie in his ability to facilitate and take pressure off Lowe.
“People look at him and think he’s a score-first type of guard,” Williams said. “But he’s showing every game that he’s more than a scorer.”
Johnson himself describes his game as versatile. “I think of myself as a point guard, a combo guard. I can play one or two, on or off the ball. Whatever my coach needs from me, I feel like I can go out there and do it.”
Kentucky’s first game after the holiday break is Jan. 3 at Alabama — a program that was among Johnson’s top recruiting choices. “I play every game special, but that one is special,” Johnson said of facing Alabama. “They were in my top three. I had a good relationship with Coach Oats, but choosing UK was the better move for me.
As for this Christmas, Johnson isn’t asking for much. “I just want to see my family, spend time with them like the old days. Christmas itself is a gift,” he said.
If Johnson can continue to develop into the backcourt “X factor” Kentucky needs, fans and Pope alike may be in for a real gift come March.
