Meechie Johnson explains leaving, returning to Ohio State

Meechie Johnson began his collegiate career at Ohio State, where he spent two seasons. However, after failing to find immense success with the Buckeyes, Johnson transferred to South Carolina.

He spent two seasons with the Gamecocks, making 63 appearances and 62 starts. In the 2023-24 season, Johnson averaged 14.1 points per game while shooting 39.9% from the field. For his efforts, he was named a All-SEC Second Team member.

In April, Johnson decided to return where his career began: Ohio State. The fifth-year senior couldn’t be happier for the opportunity to run it back with the Buckeyes.

“The first time, it just wasn’t going how I wanted it to I guess,” Johnson said. “It was not ideally what I wanted. I did not want to leave. It wasn’t ultimately my decision to want to leave. To be able to come back, it was everything. Like I said, I was able to come and play with a good guard. There are a lot of places I could have went around the country.

“But knowing Bruce [Thornton] and what he wanted for himself and for this team and for this program, where I’m from. I always wanted to get to a tournament, which I’ve done before here, but to go far it just everything made sense. We were able to get on the same page with Coach and we feel like he has put together a good roster for us to go far. But like I said, that was then and this is now. I’m just excited for what’s ahead.”

Meechie Johnson ready for new era at Ohio State

Johnson and Bruce Thornton will be early frontrunners for the best backcourt in the nation. Thornton is entering his third season at OSU. Last season, he average a team-high 15.7 points, 4.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

The backcourt pair will help usher in a new era of Ohio State basketball. The 2024-25 campaign will be Jake Diebler‘s first as the program’s full-time head coach. He was the team’s interim coach after OSU parted ways with Chris Holtmann midway through last season.

Johnson believes they can accomplish big things together.

“It has been a blessing coming back, being honored to be welcomed back,” Johnson said. “Since Coach Diebler has taken over, it’s been great with these guys.

“Being with Bruce and some of the other players he’s brought in, you could just tell the energy and the culture of being at Ohio State and what it means. You can just feel it every day when you’re in the weight room and when you’re in the gym. It’s just about winning. That’s where we that’s where we’re headed.”