Jasper Johnson Earns Spot on USA U19 National Team, Set to Represent Kentucky on the World Stage
LEXINGTON, Ky. — The stars are aligning early for one of Kentucky’s most promising young guards.
Incoming freshman Jasper Johnson has officially been named to the USA Basketball Men’s U19 National Team, a prestigious honor that solidifies his status as one of the premier young talents in the country. Johnson will head to Lausanne, Switzerland, to compete in the 2025 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup, running June 28 – July 6.
🔥 From Lexington to Lausanne
Johnson is one of 12 elite players selected following a competitive training camp in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team is being led by Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd, with assistance from Grant McCasland (Texas Tech) and Micah Shrewsberry (Notre Dame).
Joining Johnson on the stacked U.S. roster are several of the nation’s top prospects, including AJ Dybantsa, Brandon McCoy Jr., Tyran Stokes, Jordan Smith Jr., and Caleb Holt many of whom are Kentucky targets for the future. But for now, it’s Jasper’s moment to shine, and he’ll be doing it while repping the Big Blue Nation on an international platform.
A Gold Medal Pedigree
This isn’t Johnson’s first dance with USA Basketball. He earned gold last summer at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup and followed that with a strong showing at the 2025 Nike Hoop Summit, helping Team USA defeat the World Select squad 124–114 in an overtime thriller.
It’s clear that when the stars are out, Johnson shows up.
High School Star Turned Wildcat
A 6-foot-4 combo guard, Johnson began his high school career at Woodford County High School in Versailles, Kentucky, where he dazzled as a dual-sport athlete quarterbacking the football team and leading the Yellowjackets to a deep basketball postseason run.
He later transferred to Overtime Elite, where his game flourished. As a senior for Real Wild Energy, Johnson averaged 20.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 5.8 assists, dominating a league stacked with top-tier talent. His AAU performances with Team Thad on the EYBL circuit including a strong showing at Peach Jam solidified his status as a five-star prospect and a future college star.
💬 Kentucky’s Future Is in Good Hands
For Kentucky head coach Mark Pope, Johnson’s inclusion on Team USA is another shining example of the elite talent now funneling into Lexington. And for fans, it’s an early glimpse of the leadership, versatility, and big-game poise Johnson is bringing to Rupp Arena this fall.
As Team USA prepares to take on Group D opponents Australia, France, and Cameroon, all eyes will be on the young Wildcats guard. If recent history is any indication, Johnson isn’t just going to participate he’s going to lead.
Next stop: Switzerland. Next chapter: Kentucky.
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