South Carolina transfer guard Meechie Johnson commits to Ohio State

Former South Carolina guard Meechie Johnson has committed to Ohio State, the guard announced via Instagram Tuesday evening. Johnson is heading back to where his college basketball career began but will play under Jake Diebler this go-round.

A big acquisition for Ohio State out of the NCAA transfer portal as a new era for the program begins under Diebler.

“I am a lifelong Buckeye,” Johnson said in a statement. “It was my dream to be a Buckeye, since I was a little kid. My story didn’t go exactly as planned but that’s life. I’m blessed to be able to have this opportunity to get back to where I belong and still have at least the ending I’ve always dreamed about, and I wouldn’t pass that up for anything.

“I’m coming back to The Ohio State University not just to come home but to be a leader, both on the court and in the community; in my hometown and state. Sure, I can be a leader and role model in communities elsewhere but it doesn’t have the same impact as it does to be a role model in your hometown, where I can tell kids when I meet & spend time with them that I’m from the same place as you.”

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Johnson made his transfer decision alongside The Foundation, one of Ohio State’s NIL collectives. On3’s Pete Nakos believes it might be one of the first announcements through a NIL collective we have seen in college basketball.

We have a possible first in college basketball. The Ohio State-driven NIL collective The Foundation has announced the commitment of South Carolina transfer Meechie Johnson back to the Buckeyes. https://t.co/wQuN6lBsa0 pic.twitter.com/ddsHeQtGDy

— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) April 2, 2024

According to the On3 Industry Transfer Portal Rankings, Johnson was the No. 74 player to enter this cycle. He is now off the board though after hearing from the likes of Arkansas, Kentucky, and Texas A&M.

Johnson averaged 14.1 points while shooting 39.9% from the field in 33 games this season with South Carolina. He earned second-team All-SEC honors as the Gamecocks had a bounceback season in Year Two of Lamont Paris. Johnson hopes he can bring the success back with him to Ohio State.

“I’m coming home town as a team, whatever it takes,” Johnson said. “I’m excited to play for Jake Diebler. You can tell there’s a lot of momentum behind the program with Coach Diebler at the helm and I can’t wait to be a part of this resurgence!”