PG- Jasper Johnson

[WV Wildcat]

Played PG in high school, played it in AAU, maybe some SG also. He’s listed as a PG in rivals and ESPN rankings. He has the athleticism and ability to play in the NBA. His size translates to a PG in the NBA

My question is why do most on this site believe he is a SG and will not be playing any PG? I personally believe he will play minutes at both SG and PG. Lowe to play a lot of minutes and throw in Chandler, who I think will make a huge improvement from this past year and you have the PG covered. Then you have Oweh, Perry and who ever else they may get on the wing that can play it in a pinch.

 

[Ron Mehico]

I mean we had Jaxson Robinson who was so uncomfortable running point that he literally was dribbling with his back to the defender and freshman Travis Perry running point at Tennessee and won (basically had Amari Williams running point) so I’m sure between Lowe, Johnson, a year older Perry, a year older Chandler, and possibly still another portal addition we’ll be fine. How about everyone chill out lol

 

[WV Wildcat]

I agree. People need to chill out. We are good at the PG position

 

[AJG-15]

God help us if we have to see another season with Perry , Chandler and the Center running the PG.
I know we are in era of TikTok and YouTube when everyone is expert at everything after watching a video but common !

 

[Coach Marrow]

God help us if we have to see another season with Perry , Chandler and the Center running the PG.
I know we are in era of TikTok and YouTube when everyone is expert at everything after watching a video but common !

How ‘bout Oweh, Chandler, and BG running point? 😆

It would be nice to add a combo guard to help run point and make open threes. Last year there were not enough players who could effectively dribble and pass.

 

[Wildcats1st]

I mean we had Jaxson Robinson who was so uncomfortable running point that he literally was dribbling with his back to the defender and freshman Travis Perry running point at Tennessee and won (basically had Amari Williams running point) so I’m sure between Lowe, Johnson, a year older Perry, a year older Chandler, and possibly still another portal addition we’ll be fine. How about everyone chill out lol

That’s one game. It’s unsustainable to have the back up plan as by committee. We just need a legit pg. if the plan day 1 is to play chandler they’re ok. I don’t like it but ok go with it. The problem is when it’s mid season and trying to figure it out. We have plenty of roster space and time to find a back up or even equivalent to Lowe.

 

[Skyguyb27]

I mean we had Jaxson Robinson who was so uncomfortable running point that he literally was dribbling with his back to the defender and freshman Travis Perry running point at Tennessee and won (basically had Amari Williams running point) so I’m sure between Lowe, Johnson, a year older Perry, a year older Chandler, and possibly still another portal addition we’ll be fine. How about everyone chill out lol

This isn’t a shot at you, and Pope did the best he could last year, but I can’t imagine playing in the championship game I saw just a few days ago with the center or Perry running the point. If you want to be a serious title contender that shouldn’t be happening on a regular basis.

 

[Ron Mehico]

This isn’t a shot at you, and Pope did the best he could last year, but I can’t imagine playing in the championship game I saw just a few days ago with the center or Perry running the point. If you want to be a serious title contender that shouldn’t be happening on a regular basis.

Ummm right, and we don’t. We have Lowe, Johnson, a year older guys, and are still pursuing other guards in the portal. But coaching matters too, and last year with NO POINT GUARD AT ALL for a third of the season we won the most games against top 15 teams in the history of our sport. So I’m assuming Pope is well aware of our needs and will improve our situation from last year. He already has. We also beat, you know, the f*cking national champion with only Butler as our PG 😂

 

[Padsfs07]

He did play SG next to Philon his Jr season at Link Academy in Branson and with Lewis on board, it was just assumed most of his minutes would come at the SG spot.

But he was a PG at OTE this year and had 6 APG and is a good distributor, so it’s baffling that people think we need another lead guard to me. We need a shooter big time.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Played PG in high school, played it in AAU, maybe some SG also. He’s listed as a PG in rivals and ESPN rankings. He has the athleticism and ability to play in the NBA. His size translates to a PG in the NBA

My question is why do most on this site believe he is a SG and will not be playing any PG? I personally believe he will play minutes at both SG and PG. Lowe to play a lot of minutes and throw in Chandler, who I think will make a huge improvement from this past year and you have the PG covered. Then you have Oweh, Perry and who ever else they may get on the wing that can play it in a pinch.

I mean we had Jaxson Robinson who was so uncomfortable running point that he literally was dribbling with his back to the defender and freshman Travis Perry running point at Tennessee and won (basically had Amari Williams running point) so I’m sure between Lowe, Johnson, a year older Perry, a year older Chandler, and possibly still another portal addition we’ll be fine. How about everyone chill out lol

I agree. People need to chill out. We are good at the PG position

He has a 6'8" wingspan, too. He could potentially become a high-level defender, making life difficult for opposing point guards to shoot over him.

I really like Johnson's game. I think he'll be an All-SEC selection as a sophomore. It's a shame Lewis didn't want to join him in the growth process.

 

[JwUKFan11]

Can he play PG? Sure like 90% of SG can it’s just not his ideal position IMO. Watching him play I just think he best position is as an off the ball scorer. I’d like to have some type of pure point backup even if it’s a guy that’s not a supreme talent.

 

[BlueSince92]

Amari Williams was no Jayden Quaintance but Jayden Quaintance is no Amari Williams.

I am sure he’s going to take advantage of the way Pope’s going to use him in space, looking to get his teammates involved with kickouts and dumpoffs for open shots and backdoor cuts. It’s also perfectly plausible he’s going to look a good bit better than his 1.5 assists to 1.9 turnovers just by playing in any system but Bobby Hurley’s.

But Amari Williamses don’t grow on trees.

People in this thread building arguments based on the assumption you can have just any old college center thread the needle or bring the ball up against top 15 pressing defenses.

That won’t happen this year and if we wind up needing it to happen we’re in trouble.

 

[BleedBlue13]

Seems to have shifted some with who we are targeting. Seem to be looking for a starting SG and Jasper backing up both or either position he would get a lot of run.

 

[d2atTech]

I mean we had Jaxson Robinson who was so uncomfortable running point that he literally was dribbling with his back to the defender and freshman Travis Perry running point at Tennessee and won (basically had Amari Williams running point) so I’m sure between Lowe, Johnson, a year older Perry, a year older Chandler, and possibly still another portal addition we’ll be fine. How about everyone chill out lol

this is the medicine i personally needed to read. thank you Dr. Mehico! I was definitely freaking out about it, and my internal conspiracy was that Duke probably targeted Lewis to get him out. I should probably be like our other UK namesake, and keep calm, and carry on.

 

[W1LDCAT22]

Played PG in high school, played it in AAU, maybe some SG also. He’s listed as a PG in rivals and ESPN rankings. He has the athleticism and ability to play in the NBA. His size translates to a PG in the NBA

My question is why do most on this site believe he is a SG and will not be playing any PG? I personally believe he will play minutes at both SG and PG. Lowe to play a lot of minutes and throw in Chandler, who I think will make a huge improvement from this past year and you have the PG covered. Then you have Oweh, Perry and who ever else they may get on the wing that can play it in a pinch.

There are many analysts that say he is more of a CG, and not your traditional PG. I think a good comparison for JJ is Boogie Fland. They have a lot of the same traits. But, you seen how bad Arkansas was when Boogie was healthy and manning the PG. The team didn't have much success at all, and then when he went out with injury, Arkansas suddenly starting winning again. I don't think that was a coincidence.

 

[ThroughBlue]

Amari Williams was no Jayden Quaintance but Jayden Quaintance is no Amari Williams.

I am sure he’s going to take advantage of the way Pope’s going to use him in space, looking to get his teammates involved with kickouts and dumpoffs for open shots and backdoor cuts. It’s also perfectly plausible he’s going to look a good bit better than his 1.5 assists to 1.9 turnovers just by playing in any system but Bobby Hurley’s.

But Amari Williamses don’t grow on trees.

People in this thread building arguments based on the assumption you can have just any old college center thread the needle or bring the ball up against top 15 pressing defenses.

That won’t happen this year and if we wind up needing it to happen we’re in trouble.

JQ will equal nearly every one of AWs stats

 

[WV Wildcat]

There are many analysts that say he is more of a CG, and not your traditional PG. I think a good comparison for JJ is Boogie Fland. They have a lot of the same traits. But, you seen how bad Arkansas was when Boogie was healthy and manning the PG. The team didn't have much success at all, and then when he went out with injury, Arkansas suddenly starting winning again. I don't think that was a coincidence.

All things aren’t always the same. We will have Lowe as a starting point guard. He will play many minutes. Jasper Johnson, a player with NBA potential can provide some PG minutes. We have plenty of PG’s and it will be a strength

 

[AJG-15]

How ‘bout Oweh, Chandler, and BG running point? 😆

It would be nice to add a combo guard to help run point and make open threes. Last year there were not enough players who could effectively dribble and pass.

Coach , that will make for a nice comedy show.

 

[Bluegrassking]

Too much of this is like robbing Peter to pay Paul but still leaving him a bit short.

I'd prefer to find a defensive bulldog with a good handle that at least shoots well enough that defenses can't hand waive them and minimize the committee stuff.

 

[BlueSince92]

JQ will equal nearly every one of AWs stats

“Nearly”?

The only stats relevant here are his assist total and ratio. Those are only two numbers out of thirty and Quaintance has already demonstrated he’s superior in everything else. Which means he’ll obviously equal or exceed “nearly” all Amari’s stats even if he folds like France in WW2 when it comes to Amari-type crisis point guard duties. Which he will if we try to use him that way. Which is what I said. So your point in quoting me?

 

[Skyguyb27]

Ummm right, and we don’t. We have Lowe, Johnson, a year older guys, and are still pursuing other guards in the portal. But coaching matters too, and last year with NO POINT GUARD AT ALL for a third of the season we won the most games against top 15 teams in the history of our sport. So I’m assuming Pope is well aware of our needs and will improve our situation from last year. He already has. We also beat, you know, the f*cking national champion with only Butler as our PG 😂

Yeah well Butler is a PG so I’m not sure why you feel the need to justify your previous post by using a PG to justify your “we got by with a C bringing up the ball”.

 

[Ron Mehico]

Yeah well Butler is a PG so I’m not sure why you feel the need to justify your previous post by using a PG to justify your “we got by with a C bringing up the ball”.

Oh man got a headache reading this one

 

[Skyguyb27]

Oh man got a headache reading this one

And? Still doesn’t change the fact you used Butler to justify we got by with a C bringing up the ball and beating the National Champion. Stupid take and stupid justification. They would have whipped UK’s a$$ at the end of the season.

Auburn, Duke, Florida, Houston, they all would have spanked UK in a FF game with athleticism and talent vs Williams bringing the ball up.

 

[Ron Mehico]

And? Still doesn’t change the fact you used Butler to justify we got by with a C bringing up the ball and beating the National Champion. Stupid take and stupid justification. They would have whipped UK’s a$$ at the end of the season.

Look, you don’t understand what I’m saying. I’m too tired to explain it. So let’s just have a coke and enjoy the ride.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

The 1995 UK roster had only one pure point guard, and those dudes earned a #1 seed in one of the most competitive seasons in the last 30 years of basketball (Arkansas, UCLA, and UNC were all loaded).

If that UK team could go into the season using one pure point guard, and two combo guards (Delk, Sheppard) as really their only real backcourt options (Rhodes and Walker played the 3; Edwards was a freshman afterthought), then the 2026 UK team could do similar things with a stacked front court.

Today's commitment from Jelavic changes a lot. It means UK will have one of the better frontlines in the nation next season.

 

[ThroughBlue]

“Nearly”?

The only stats relevant here are his assist total and ratio. Those are only two numbers out of thirty and Quaintance has already demonstrated he’s superior in everything else. Which means he’ll obviously equal or exceed “nearly” all Amari’s stats even if he folds like France in WW2 when it comes to Amari-type crisis point guard duties. Which he will if we try to use him that way. Which is what I said. So your point in quoting me?

Nothing really other than to say JQ is better than Amari at every aspect of basketball that will matter to us next season

 

[fatguy87]

We are a tad paranoid about guard depth after the rain of injuries this year lol

 

[BlueSince92]

Nothing really other than to say JQ is better than Amari at every aspect of basketball that will matter to us next season

Jayden Quaintance is not as good as Amari Williams at point guard duties and that’s not only important to us generally, given we like to use our 5 man as a point center to manage and initiate our zoom offense, it’s critical as relates to the specific topic I addressed here: the fact that people in this thread are sorely mistaken who believe that switching to Jayden Quaintance as an option for bringing the ball up the court against top 15 pressing defenses and running general playmaking point guard duties from there is going to be feasible like it was feasible with Amari Williams.

It’s perfectly okay if you don’t understand that. It’s rather sad that you seem to think that means I am trashing Quaintance or suggesting we won’t do well with him. We’ll do amazingly well with Quaintance and will simply use him in somewhat different ways than we used Amari, most of those upgrades. But you do you. Not all of us are meant to really understand this stuff.

 

[Ripcord65]

God help us if we have to see another season with Perry , Chandler and the Center running the PG.
I know we are in era of TikTok and YouTube when everyone is expert at everything after watching a video but common !

The lady doeth protest too much, me thinks !