Kentucky emerges as favorite for big UNC basketball recruiting target

Decision day is almost here for five-star shooting guard Jasper Johnson as he is set to make his commitment this week. The talented recruit out of Lexington, Kentucky is ready to make his decision and will choose between North Carolina, Alabama, and Kentucky.

As the recruitment has gone on for Johnson, it’s been a tough one to read.

The three mentioned were the teams that emerged as favorites and at one point, Johnson was considered a heavy lean to Alabama with UNC right behind them. But now, it appears as if the hometown program will pull it out.

The Wildcats have emerged as the favorites to land Johnson picking up a crystal ball prediction from lead recruiting analyst Travis Branham of 247Sports. Kentucky holds both predictions on 247Sports with staff writer Aaron Greshon of Cats Pause having one too.

Jacob Polachek of On3 also made a prediction for Johnson to land with the Wildcats.

This would be another tough loss for UNC on the recruiting trail, being a finalist for Johnson and losing to another Blue Blood program. Although Johnson is from Lexington, it’s a tough loss.

What makes it tough is that the Tar Heels also lost out on four-star center Malachi Moreno who committed to Kentucky. Moreno even did his best to recruit Johnson to the Wildcats right after he committed.

North Carolina has yet to land a commitment in the 2025 class but they do have big options left.

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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire : Kentucky emerges as favorite for big UNC basketball recruiting target