South Carolina basketball lands commitment from 4-star guard
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South Carolina has landed a verbal commitment from Cleveland (Ohio) Garfield Heights point guard Marcus Johnson.
Johnson revealed his pledge to multiple outlets on Thursday. A one-time Ohio State commit, Johnson was drawing interest from programs like Louisville, Michigan, Tennessee, and Arkansas, among others. He is the cousin of current South Carolina senior Meechie Johnson.
The 6-foot-2 Johnson is a 4-star recruit in the 2026 class. In the industry-generated 247 Composite, Johnson is the fourth-ranked point guard prospect. He is the third-ranked recruit from the state of Ohio and the 47th-ranked recruit in the class.
Johnson is the reigning Ohio Mr. Basketball following a dynamic junior season for Garfield Heights. Johnson averaged 29.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 2.2 steals a game for Garfield Heights, which went 24-3 and advanced to the Division III state semifinals.
He becomes South Carolina’s second known 2026 pledge, joining guard Isaac Ellis, brother of Gamecocks freshman Eli Ellis.
For coach Lamont Paris, it’s turning into a family affair in Columbia. Meechie Johnson currently leads the 3-0 Gamecocks in scoring at 18.7 points a night. Eli Ellis leads the team in assists with 4 per game. Adding Marcus Johnson alongside Ellis would give Paris a dynamic backcourt led by a pair of guards who can handle the ball, run an offense, or create for themselves.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
