It was a special day at Woodford County High School the day Jasper Johnson announced his commitment, deciding to stay home and play in front of his friends and family at Kentucky. Those following along with his basketball journey since his childhood will now get to see him push toward a national championship in Lexington before making a jump to the pros.
You saw the build-up, the announcement itself and the interviews after the fact. The five-star guard made it clear the opportunity to represent his community at the next level and beyond was the deciding factor, the moment he realized he’d be a Wildcat.
“One night it came to me. I was praying about it each and every night, talking to my family and everything, hoping to get a sign,” he told KSR. “It really just came out to my heart, I know I had a feeling. I really wanted to play for the University of Kentucky and represent my city and my state in college and then when I get to the NBA. I wanted that behind me, that I played for the University of Kentucky.”
With the dust now settled on the high-profile announcement one month later, Overtime Elite is ready to share a behind-the-scenes look at that day, starting at the Johnson household that morning.
“It’s my big day today, my commitment. I’m really excited to come home in front of my friends and family and make my decision,” Johnson said in the hours leading up to his announcement, showing off his room filled with his old basketball, football and baseball jerseys and trophies. From there, he met his parents, Dennis and Nyoka, in the kitchen where his mom shared the pullover Dennis wore when he committed to play football at Kentucky back in the 90s.
“My father has been the biggest impact on me,” Jasper said. “He was in my position once upon a time in his athletic career. I definitely go to him for guidance and wisdom.”
From there, Jasper heads to Paul Miller Ford to pick up his new F-150 Raptor — one that will be customized as the “Jasp-tor” before his time at Kentucky. His agent, Nate Conley of Court XIV, says in the clip part of his NIL deal includes two vehicles — one for Jasper and one for the family.
That brings us to the ceremony itself, a packed house ready to celebrate the five-star guard’s decision to stay home.
Take a look at the behind-the-scenes clip from OTE below — which also features a few big-time KSR cameos:
Welcome to the family, Jasper — or rather, congrats on staying in the family.
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