Meechie Johnson
 Johnson with South Carolina in 2022 | |
| South Carolina Gamecocks | |
|---|---|
| Position | Point guard |
| League | Big Ten Conference |
| Personal information | |
| Born | September 21, 2002 |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Listed weight | 184 lb (83 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Garfield Heights (Garfield Heights, Ohio) |
| College |
|
| Career highlights | |
| |
Demetrius "Meechie" Johnson Jr. is an American college basketball player for the South Carolina Gamecocks of the Southeastern Conference. He previously played for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Early life and high school
[edit]Johnson attended Garfield Heights High School. As a junior, he averaged 23 points per game before he tore his ACL.[1] Coming out of high school, Johnson was rated as a four-star recruit, the 14th ranked point guard, and the 76th overall player in the class of 2021.[2] He received offers from schools such as Louisville, Ohio State, Georgetown and Miami.[3] Johnson committed to play college basketball for the Ohio State Buckeyes.[4]
College career
[edit]Ohio State
[edit]As a freshman in 2020–21 Johnson averaged 1.2 points, 0.4 rebounds and 0.2 assists in 17 games.[5] On November 21, 2021, he scored eight points including the game-winning shots to help the Buckeyes upset #21 Seton Hall 79–76.[6] During the 2021–22 season, Johnson averaged 4.4 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 26 games.[7] After the season, he entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.[7]
South Carolina
[edit]Johnson transferred to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks.[8] On January 10, 2023, he scored 26 points in a win over Kentucky.[9] In his first season with the Gamecocks, Johnson averaged 12.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game while shooting 33 percent from three.[10] He declared for the 2023 NBA draft after the season, but withdrew his name just a few days later.[11]
On March 2, 2024, Johnson scored a team-high 25 points a win over Florida.[12] In the first round of the 2024 NCAA tournament, he scored a team-high 24 points, while also adding three rebounds and assists, in an 87–73 loss to Oregon in the first round.[13] Johnson finished the 2023–24 season starting in 33 games where he averaged 14.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game, as he was named second-team all-SEC and led the Gamecocks to their first tournament appearance since 2017.[14] After the season, he entered the NCAA transfer portal.[15]
Personal life
[edit]Johnson is close family friends with NBA superstar LeBron James and refers to him as an uncle.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ Goul, Matt (October 24, 2019). "Ohio State basketball commit Meechie Johnson targets spring return". Cleveland.com. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ Means, Stephen (November 8, 2020). "Meechie Johnson, Ohio State basketball commit, announces plan to enroll early: Buckeyes Recruiting". Cleveland.com. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ Jardy, Adam (October 22, 2021). "Ohio State men's basketball power rankings: No. 6 Meechie Johnson Jr". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ a b Smith, Cam (August 13, 2019). "Ohio State basketball lands commitment from LeBron James' nephew, Meechie Johnson Jr". USA Today. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ "Meechie Johnson 2020–21 Splits". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ Jardy, Adam (November 24, 2021). "With family in stands, Meechie Johnson Jr. hits game-winner for Ohio State". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ a b Jardy, Adam (April 12, 2022). "Ohio State basketball's Meechie Johnson Jr. entering transfer portal after two seasons". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ Means, Stephen (April 25, 2022). "Former Ohio State basketball player Meechie Johnson Jr. transfers to South Carolina". Cleveland.com. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ Cloninger, David (January 26, 2023). "Meechie and LeBron: Gamecock guard's 'uncle' cheers from NBA". Post and Courier. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ Adams, Emily (May 23, 2023). "Meechie Johnson returning to South Carolina basketball in 2023–24, withdraws from NBA Draft". Greenville Online. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ Vessels, Chandler (May 23, 2023). "South Carolina guard Meechie Johnson withdraws from 2023 NBA Draft, will return to school". On3.com. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ Keepfer, Scott (March 2, 2024). "South Carolina basketball rides Meechie Johnson's huge second half past Florida in SEC showdown". Greenville Online. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ Al-Khateeb, Zac (March 25, 2024). "Why is Meechie Johnson transferring? South Carolina leading scorer 'testing NBA draft waters'". Greenville Online. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ Melton, Matt (March 25, 2024). "South Carolina star guard Meechie Johnson to reportedly enter transfer portal". USA Today. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ Hricik, Madison. "Meechie Johnson, South Carolina's leading scorer, headed to transfer portal". The State. Retrieved March 29, 2024.