The South Carolina Gamecocks are saying goodbye to one Johnson and welcoming another - and this one comes with a serious pedigree.
With starting point guard Meechie Johnson moving on after exhausting his eligibility, the program is turning the page with a familiar name. Marcus Johnson, a four-star guard and Meechie’s first cousin, has officially signed with the Gamecocks during the early signing period. And if you ask Meechie, South Carolina just landed a game-changer.
“He’s going to be very special. I think he’s got a chance to be a lot better than me,” Meechie said after Marcus put pen to paper. That’s not just family pride talking - it’s a nod to the kind of talent Marcus brings to Columbia.
Ranked as the No. 36 overall player in the country by 247Sports, Marcus enters the fold as one of the most highly touted guards in the 2026 class. He’s a left-handed playmaker with a dynamic scoring touch, elite instincts, and a résumé that speaks volumes.
Two-time Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year? Check.
2025 Ohio Mr. Basketball?
Check. And he’s done it all while playing for his father at Garfield Heights High School.
The numbers back up the hype. As a sophomore, Marcus averaged 23.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.0 steals per game.
He took it up another level as a junior, posting 29.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.9 steals. He’s not just scoring - he’s filling the box score, leading, and winning.
And he’s been doing it since day one, becoming the first freshman ever to earn First Team All-Ohio honors back in 2023.
Now, he becomes the first player to win Mr. Basketball outside of South Carolina and still commit to the Gamecocks. That’s a big deal - and a big win for head coach Lamont Paris.
“Marcus is a tough kid,” Paris said in a statement. “He can be so explosive as a scorer, but more importantly, he’s always shown the know-how and the willingness to make plays for his teammates.”
Paris also praised Marcus’s creativity and feel for the game - two qualities that set elite guards apart. Whether it’s navigating tight spaces in the paint, pushing the pace in transition, or stretching defenses with his range, Marcus brings a complete offensive package.
And defensively? Paris sees real upside there too, especially as an on-ball defender.
“He knows how to get into nooks and crannies without getting himself into trouble,” Paris added. “He’s very good at attacking situations in transition and in the paint but is just as comfortable putting pressure on defenses from behind the 3-point line too.”
This isn’t just a talented player joining the roster - it’s a foundational piece for the future of the program. Marcus is currently the lone signee in South Carolina’s 2026 recruiting class, but he’s the kind of player you can build around. A scorer, a creator, a competitor - and someone who already has a deep connection to the program through Meechie.
With a familiar last name and a game that’s anything but ordinary, Marcus Johnson is ready to carve out his own legacy in Columbia. And if the early signs are any indication, the Gamecocks might’ve just added their next star.