On Tuesday in Switzerland, during Team USA’s third and final group stage game, Jasper Johnson had his best performance yet.
In what was a dominant 129-70 win for the Americans over Cameroon in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, Johnson produced multiple highlight plays on his way to posting 11 points on 4-8 shooting, including a 3-5 mark from long range, in just 11 minutes of action. He also chipped in one rebound, one assist, and one steal. Johnson sat out most of the second half with the win already wrapped up, although he was spotted sporting an ice wrap on his shooting hand after the game ended.
The Kentucky freshman guard started a bit slow, but picked up the pace — on both ends of the floor — in the second quarter. Johnson was operating well in the pick-and-roll, playing sound on-ball defense, and closed the first half with a brilliant steal-to-three-pointer sequence. The Bluegrass native picked a Cameroonian player’s pocket and quickly turned it into a pull-up triple right before the halftime buzzer.
With Tuesday’s victory, Team USA finishes group stage action with a 3-0 record. The Americans beat Australia 88-73 on Saturday and France 108-77 on Sunday. Johnson went for six points in 15 minutes during the opener before adding four points and two assists in 19 minutes against France. Team USA advances to the round of 16 knockout stage, which begins on Wednesday.
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope was in attendance for the first two games before swapping out with assistant coach Cody Fueger, who watched Johnson in the win over Cameroon. Johnson’s Kentucky teammates have made sure they’re tuned into his Team USA games, as well.
“He’s a naturally gifted player,” Kentucky junior guard Jaland Lowe said of Johnson on Monday. “And that’s something that you can’t deny at all… That kid is super confident, he’s super talented, and he’s going to be ready for a big year, for sure.”
Johnson isn’t the only player the Big Blue Nation should keep an eye on, though, as Team USA looks to make a run at another gold medal. A handful of Kentucky’s top high school recruiting targets are also in action. Five-star guard Caleb Holt went for 18 points and eight rebounds against Cameroon, while Brandon McCoy Jr. (seven points) and Tyran Stokes (six points, three assists) also made contributions.
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