The recruitment of Jasper Johnson is officially coming to a close.
Johnson, a 6-foot-4 guard and the No. 12 overall recruit in the 2025 class, will announce his college decision on September 5th at Woodford County (Ky.) High School, sources told 247Sports on Monday.
The five-star guard will pick between his five finalists: Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisville, and North Carolina.
Over the last two months, this has been the most hotly contested recruiting battle we have seen so far this cycle with the Crimson Tide, Wildcats, and Tar Heels all duking things out for the five-star talent.
Born and raised in Woodford County (Ky.), Johnson has been a top priority for Mark Pope, Hubert Davis, and Nate Oats. He has made an official visit to all three schools.
In July, Johnson shared his thoughts on his three finalists.
Alabama: “They were the first Power 5 school to offer and recruit me. Nate Oats has been recruiting me for a while, now. Him sticking along throughout the years and building a relationship means that he believes in and trusts me. (Oates) and (Alabama assistant coach) Preston Murphy have consistently been reaching out to my parents. Our relationship is good.”
Kentucky: “Mark Pope gives me the good message of being the hometown kid. He is consistent with me. He tells me what he wants me to do and how I can fit in his offense. He really wants to coach me and he wants to start his 2025 recruiting class with me. I met the staff and got to see them practice, so it was good. He likes to take three (point shots) in the offense and he wants me to come in and score the ball.”
North Carolina: “Hubert Davis and Sean May are pushing. They want me to be the top guard in the ACC by scoring and running their team. They say they will do whatever it takes for me to pursue my dreams — whether it be one-and-done or winning a National Championship.”
For much of this recruitment, it has primarily been a battle between North Carolina and Alabama but in recent days Kentucky has made a late surge to make this recruitment all that much more interesting.
The big question of where Johnson will play his college basketball will be revealed in just a few short days.