The Kentucky Wildcats are reloading with local talent, and the latest addition to John Calipari’s squad—or more accurately, Mark Pope’s, following the leadership transition—is one that has the Bluegrass State buzzing. After a breakout sophomore season at Miami (OH), former Lexington Catholic standout Ben Johnson is coming home, transferring to Kentucky and bringing with him a skillset that could help elevate the Wildcats in a new era of basketball.
Johnson, a 6-foot-3 guard who dominated Kentucky high school basketball before making the jump to college, has announced that he will transfer from the Mid-American Conference to the Southeastern Conference for the 2025-26 season. It’s a full-circle moment for the sharp-shooting guard, whose local hero status in Lexington has remained strong even after he left the state two years ago. Now, after proving himself on the college stage, he’s ready to wear the blue and white again—but this time on one of the sport’s grandest stages.
The move comes on the heels of a sensational season in Oxford, Ohio, where Johnson emerged as one of the most prolific scorers in the MAC. As a sophomore, he averaged 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 45.2% from the field and a scorching 41.8% from three-point range. His dynamic offensive play and growing maturity as a floor leader helped Miami (OH) exceed expectations, and Johnson’s name quickly began circulating in transfer portal discussions by February. Multiple high-major programs expressed interest, but for Johnson, the decision to return to Lexington was more than basketball. It was about legacy.
“I’ve always dreamed of playing for Kentucky,” Johnson said in a statement released through his social media channels. “Growing up in Lexington, you see the tradition up close. I grew up watching games at Rupp, idolizing the guys who came before me. Now, to have the opportunity to represent this university and this city—it’s everything.”
His path to Kentucky hasn’t been a straight line, but it’s been defined by steady growth and resilience. At Lexington Catholic, Johnson was a household name in Kentucky high school basketball circles. As a senior, he led the Knights to a 25-3 record, averaging over 26 points per game and establishing himself as one of the top scorers in the state. He was named Kentucky’s Gatorade Player of the Year in 2023, joining a list of previous winners that includes the likes of Darius Miller, Rex Chapman, and Rajon Rondo.
Despite his stellar prep resume, Johnson was lightly recruited by high-major programs coming out of high school. The knock on him was familiar—undersized for a traditional shooting guard role and not quite quick enough laterally to defend elite guards at the next level. But those doubts only fueled him.
At Miami (OH), Johnson wasted no time proving his critics wrong. He came off the bench in the early part of his freshman season, but by mid-January, he had worked his way into the starting lineup. That season, he averaged 9.5 points per game and hit 38% of his three-pointers—modest numbers, but enough to show flashes of what was to come.
By his sophomore year, Johnson had added muscle, improved his handle, and most importantly, began to command games with confidence. He recorded six 25-point games during the 2024-25 season, including a 31-point performance against Kent State that featured seven made threes and a game-winning step-back jumper in double overtime. In that moment, it became clear to many that Johnson wasn’t just a good MAC player—he was a star.
“He was our guy,” said Miami (OH) head coach Travis Steele. “Every game, every big moment, he wanted the ball in his hands. His development was tremendous, and honestly, we’re going to miss him dearly. But I couldn’t be prouder to see him go home and play for Kentucky. He deserves it.”
Johnson’s transfer is already being hailed as a major win for Kentucky’s new coaching staff. While the program has long been a magnet for five-star freshmen and future NBA talent, the Wildcats are now embracing a different philosophy under Pope—one that leans heavily on proven college players who can contribute immediately. Johnson fits that mold perfectly.
He brings outside shooting, which Kentucky lacked consistently last season. His 41.8% clip from deep would have ranked first on the Wildcats’ roster, and his ability to create his own shot off the dribble adds a new dimension to an offense that often became stagnant late in games. Defensively, Johnson has improved significantly, using his high basketball IQ to anticipate passes and create transition opportunities. His 1.4 steals per game last season reflect that growth.
But perhaps just as importantly, Johnson brings leadership. He’s a battle-tested guard who understands the grind of college basketball. His experience as a focal point at Miami (OH) should translate well, especially if he’s asked to take on a sixth man or secondary scorer role at Kentucky—something he’s reportedly open to doing.
“I’m here to win,” Johnson told reporters following his announcement. “Whatever Coach Pope needs me to do—whether that’s score, come off the bench, defend—I’m going to do it. This isn’t about me. It’s about Kentucky basketball.”
Johnson’s homecoming also injects a wave of energy into a fan base that has long craved deeper ties to in-state talent. Over the past decade, many of Kentucky’s top high school stars either left the state for other programs or were overlooked in favor of flashier national prospects. Johnson’s return may help reset that trend. And for younger Kentucky-born players, it sends a message: you don’t need to leave to be great.
The Wildcats have had success stories like this before. Think of Darius Miller, another Kentucky native who was instrumental during the 2012 national championship run. Or more recently, Reid Travis—a transfer from Stanford who helped bring physicality and maturity to the team during his one year in Lexington. Johnson, though different in style, represents a similar bridge between talent and toughness.
Now, with Kentucky eyeing a bounce-back season under new leadership, Johnson’s arrival feels both timely and symbolic. This is a program in transition—looking to modernize, reestablish identity, and compete at the highest level once again. Bringing in a local product who has grinded his way to national relevance aligns with that mission perfectly.
There will, of course, be challenges. The SEC is a brutal league, full of elite defenders and lightning-quick guards. Johnson will need to prove that his game can translate at that level. He’ll need to adjust to the pressure that comes with playing at Kentucky, where every shot, every turnover, and every win or loss is amplified by the weight of history and the passion of Big Blue Nation.
But if his past is any indication, Johnson is more than ready.
He’s the same kid who stayed in the gym after practice at Lexington Catholic, perfecting his release. The same player who bet on himself when high-majors passed him by. The same competitor who took over games at Miami (OH) when his team needed a spark. And now, he’s the newest Wildcat—coming home with unfinished business and a chip on his shoulder.
As summer workouts approach, all eyes in Lexington will be on No. 23 (his expected jersey number at UK, a nod to his high school days). Fans will pack Rupp to see the hometown hero take the floor, and Johnson, ever the underdog, will embrace the spotlight with the same quiet intensity that’s defined his journey.
For him, this is more than a transfer. It’s a return. A redemption. And a chance to write the next chapter of his basketball story where it all began.