Meechie Johnson is coming (back) to the SEC for second stint at South Carolina

MrsTylerKSR

Mar 14, 2024; Nashville, TN, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Lamont Paris talks with guard Meechie Johnson (5) against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the first half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Meechie Johnson has come full circle. The Ohio State guard announced on social media that he is returning to South Carolina for his final season of college basketball (contingent on a waiver).

This marks the second time Johnson has returned to a school in a city that starts with “Columb.” The Cleveland, Ohio native started his college career at Ohio State, playing two seasons for the Buckeyes before transferring to South Carolina in 2022. Johnson played for Lamont Paris in Columbia for two seasons, helping lead the Gamecocks to the NCAA Tournament in 2024 and earning Second Team All-SEC honors; however, he entered the transfer portal that offseason and decided to return to Columbus for what appeared to be his final season. Johnson played in 10 games for the Buckeyes, averaging 9.1 points per game before leaving the team for personal reasons and mental health issues. He can apply for a medical hardship waiver to receive an additional year of eligibility.

“I was just going through a lot mentally,” Johnson told The Columbus Dispatch earlier this week. “Mental health is serious. It’s something I’ve dealt with my whole life. It was something that definitely was affecting me. It was my life. There was a lot going on, and basketball being something that you use to be an outlet, I just didn’t feel like myself mentally. I just had to focus on my mental health. That was that.”

Now, Johnson is returning to the SEC, where he’ll face Kentucky once again as a Gamecock. He averaged 13.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists over his two seasons at South Carolina and was particularly good against the Cats, hitting six threes en route to 26 points in the Gamecocks’ win in Rupp Arena in 2023. Johnson had already taken a leave of absence from the Buckeyes by the time Kentucky’s game vs. Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic came around this season.

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Johnson’s decision is welcome news for Lamont Paris, who is losing Jacobi Wright and Jamarii Thomas to graduation, at least four players to the portal (Zachary Davis, Arden Conyers, Nick Pringle, and Austin Herro), and potentially Collin Murray-Boyles to the NBA Draft. Murray-Boyles, projected by some to be a first-round draft pick, has yet to announce his intentions, but earlier this week, Paris claimed that another SEC school offered Murray-Boyles $2.5 million to transfer. South Carolina finished the season 12-20, winning just two SEC games and ranking last in the standings. Having Johnson back in the fold will certainly help the Gamecocks turn it around.

Meechie Johnson isn’t the only former Buckeye making news today. Former Kentucky Wildcat Aaron Bradshaw entered the transfer portal this afternoon. No word yet on his potential destination.