What to expect from new Gamecock, incoming transfer Meechie Johnson
Of all the transfers new South Carolina men’s basketball coach Lamont Paris and his staff have pulled in, guard Meechie Johnson could be the splashiest name.
The former Ohio State player from Cleveland was once a four-star recruit and even enrolled with the Buckeyes a year early out of high school. But Johnson played sparingly for the Buckeyes the past two years, scoring 4.4 points per game last season, shooting 30.8% from the field and 32.1% from the 3-point line.
The Gamecocks see untapped potential in the speedy 19-year-old guard. Sidelined by a knee injury late in high school and buried on a deep Ohio State roster, there’s a belief among Paris’ staff that Johnson can reach a new gear in his game, especially as a shooter. And given his Big Ten ties and connections in the Midwest, Paris should be as plugged in to Johnson’s background as anyone.
At the very least, Johnson gives USC some much-needed depth in the backcourt after losing Jermaine Couisnard, Erik Stevenson and James Reese this offseason. Johnson should compete with holdovers Jacobi Wright and Chico Carter Jr. for minutes at point guard. The Gamecocks have lost eight players to the transfer portal this offseason and have brought in five new players, each of whom could be thrust into significant roles in their first season.
Paris’ new assistant coaches each offered scouting reports on the team’s incoming transfers and how they view their roles on the team. Here’s what they had to say about Johnson.
Scouting reports on Meechie Johnson
Tanner Bronson: “Meechie Johnson, he’s an interesting one because he’s young. He’s 19 years old, even though he’s played two years of college basketball, because he came in early at Ohio State, played a role on a team that was Top 25 all year.
“I think he can shoot it. Dynamically quick. He’s got a burst about him that’s really, really good. And I think he’s ready to kind of change that role and is excited about his role at (South Carolina) and moving over and being able to get guys involved and make plays off ball screens and do some stuff like that. But really quick and really good with the ball and understanding.”
Tim Buckley: “I would say No. 1 is his personality, and I think personality is important with how you play. It exudes confidence, and he’s a confident player. He’s going to continue to improve and grow because he’s still young, especially playing in college, he had the injury in high school, and he left the year early. And so there’s a lot of growth there, which is exciting.
“He has as good as speed probably as anybody that you’ll find out there. So I think that is going to be an advantage. And now it’s playing with speed under control with decision-making. And I think he’s a better shooter than maybe his numbers showed. And some of that’s technical, some of it’s shot selection, different things like that. And having a different role (with USC), where it’s going to be more expanded than it’s been, sometimes that just breeds confidence.”
USC men’s basketball roster moves
Additions
Troy Boynton (April 16) — Evansville
Hayden Brown (April 23) — The Citadel
Meechie Johnson (April 25) — Ohio State
Ebrima Dibba (April 27) — Coastal Carolina
Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk (May 11) — Illinois
Transfers out (listed with new college where applicable)
Brandon Martin (April 27)
Keyshawn Bryant (April 22)
Mike Green (March 28)
Devin Carter (March 28) — Providence
Wildens Leveque (March 27) — Massachusetts
Ta’Quan Woodley (March 26) — Massachusetts
Jermaine Couisnard (March 25) — Oregon
Erik Stevenson (March 24) — West Virginia
This story was originally published May 19, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
