The Kentucky Wildcats basketball program has a reason to celebrate this week, as incoming freshman Jasper Johnson has secured a coveted spot on the USA Basketball Men’s U19 National Team.
Announced a few hours ago, this selection marks a significant milestone for the 6’4” combo guard, who will represent his country at the 2025 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup. Scheduled from June 28 to Jul 6 in Lausanne, Switzerland.
His selection comes after a competitive training camp in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where USA Basketball narrowed its roster from 15 finalists to the final 12 players. The team, coached by the University of Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd, with assistance from Texas Tech’s Grant McCasland and Notre Dame’s Micah Shrewsberry, shows the program’s commitment to elite leadership.
Rising Star: Jasper Johnson’s Journey to Team USA
Johnson’s path to the U19 National Team reflects his talent and dedication. The guard began his high school career at Woodford County High School in Versailles, Kentucky, where he helped lead the Yellowjackets to the semifinals of the KHSAA Sweet 16 in 2023.
His development took a significant leap when he moved to Overtime Elite, a professionalized amateur league, for his senior year. There, he averaged 20.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game while playing for Real Wild Energy, projecting himself as one of the top prospects in the 2024 class.
His international experience began to take shape last summer when he earned a gold medal with the USA at the 2024 FIBA U19 AmeriCup. His performance continued to impress earlier this year at the Nike Hoop Summit, where he contributed to a 124-114 overtime victory against the World Select Team. These accomplishments caught the attention of USA Basketball selectors, who saw in him the potential to contribute to a program with a storied history.
The United States has claimed the FIBA U19 World Cup gold medal eight times, with the most recent triumph coming in 2021. This year’s event, the 17th staging of the tournament since its inception in 1979, will see the U.S. compete in Group D alongside Australia, France, and Cameroon.
Congratulations, @BruhJasperJ, on being selected for the @usabasketball U19 National Team!
The team is slated to compete at the 2025 @FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup, which will run June 28 – July 6 in Lausanne, Switzerland.
📰🔗 https://t.co/83v71OZ2YH pic.twitter.com/IubigTx5dg
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) June 20, 2025
The decision to include Johnson on the final 12-man roster reflects his readiness for high-level competition. The team’s composition includes rising stars like Mikel Brown Jr., AJ Dybantsa, Caleb Holt, and fellow Kentucky recruit Tyran Stokes, among others.
The U.S. team’s Group D schedule will test Johnson’s skills against formidable opponents. Australia brings a physical style of play, while France, a consistent contender, features players with professional experience in European leagues.
The experience he will gain against top international talent will sharpen his game and accelerate his development as a freshman. His path reflects that of recent NBA stars like Anthony Edwards and Paolo Banchero, both of whom competed in FIBA events before thriving professionally.
As things stand, focus shifts to Lausanne, where a Kentucky freshman might emerge as a global talent, paving the way for an exciting future in college basketball.
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