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Ohio State guard Meechie Johnson entered the transfer portal earlier this week after spending one season with the Buckeyes. The decision put an end to his second stint in Columbus.
Johnson signed with the Buckeyes out of high school as a four-star prospect in 2020. He spent two years at the university before leaving for the SEC.
The guard then landed at South Carolina where he played the next two seasons. As a junior, he set career-highs in scoring (14.1 ppg) and assists (2.9 apg) while leading the Gamecocks to the NCAA Tournament.
He decided to hop back in the portal last offseason. He was presented with an opportunity to return to Ohio State given his rising stock. He took that chance and landed an immediate starting role.
Meechie Johnson started 10 games with the Buckeyes last year. He then mysteriously removed himself from the lineup in December. It was simply reported as a “personal decision.” The timing was curious.
College basketball analyst Jeff Goodman commented on Johnson’s unexpected departure on his Field of 68 podcast. He suggested that it was a business decision with NIL implications.
“Does he even come back?” he asked in late December. “There’s a lot of players around the country right now that are trying to figure out if they’re not happy with their roles… ‘Do I shut it down? The deadline is now, and if I shut it down, I have another year of eligibility, and I can go get more NIL next year.’ That’s the dilemma for a guy like Meechie Johnson.”
His 10-game participation fell below the NCAA threshold, giving him an opportunity to redshirt with approval of a medical health waiver. Johnson opened up on the situation last month with the Columbus Dispatch.
“I was just going through a lot mentally. Mental health is serious. It’s something I’ve dealt with my whole life. It was something that was definitely affecting me…
“There was a lot going on, and basketball being something you use to be an outlet, I just didn’t feel like myself… I had to focus on my mental health. That was that.”
-Meechie Johnson
Johnson last played for the Buckeyes on December 14th. He averaged 9.1 points and 2.7 assists through 10 starts. He’s now ready to get back on the court, and he’ll do so for a familiar school.
Meechie Johnson committed to South Carolina (again).
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The guard announced his decision on social media Tuesday. He’ll reunite with head coach Lamont Paris in Columbia.
The news is big for a South Carolina squad that finished last in the SEC a year ago. He’ll look to elevate the team’s play in 2025 while helping the Gamecocks make a return to the NCAA Tournament.
Johnson was a second-team all-conference performer his last time with the program. He flashed an ability to score at both the rim and beyond the arc. Coach Paris will welcome his offensive production back with open arms following an inconsistent second season.
Meechie Johnson posted a message about his winding journey on X soon after his decision went public. He’s received some criticism on how he handled his time at Ohio State. “Going back to the same two schools twice… This isn’t what I imagined nor thought my career would be like but… I know this is [God’s] journey for me.”
Barring any setbacks on his medical health wavier, he’ll spend his final college season at South Carolina next year.