Family Foundations: How Lamont Paris brought Marcus Johnson to South Carolina

On April 1, South Carolina guard Meechie Johnson returned to the Gamecocks after a one-year stint back home at Ohio State.

From the moment he signed, all eyes in South Carolina were on whether that’d lead to then-Ohio State commit and Meechie’s cousin, Marcus Johnson, following suit.

Marcus decommitted from Ohio State on Oct. 27. 17 days later, he joined his cousin as a South Carolina Gamecock.

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Paris has known Marcus and the Johnson family for a long time. His original commitment to Ohio State did not come as a surprise to Paris.

“Just as you continue to follow and hear some things. It just seemed like, once he became available, and we don’t have the one commitment in that class, that it just made perfect sense for us,” Paris said.

Marcus’s conversations with his older brother also led him to consider South Carolina due to his familiarity with the program.

“I’m sure he’s also seen how Meechie’s played for us and the freedom that Meechie has while he’s out there,” Paris said.

One thing Paris immediately noticed about Marcus during his recruitment was his competitiveness.

“I think the value on competitive guys is sky high in my book,” Paris said. “As I watch these games, particularly as young guys that are trying to find their way into the college game. If you can be really competitive. So it starts with he’s a tremendous competitor. Tremendously competitive kid.”

His versatility on offense is also a huge factor in Marcus’ game. The two-time Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year and 2025 Ohio Mr. Basketball averaged 23 points alongside four rebounds, two assists, and two steals per game in 2024. Johnson’s 2024 Gatorade Player of the Year honor was the first in the history of his school, Garfield Heights.

Despite his high-scoring numbers in his time with Garfield Heights, Paris was quick to notice his unselfishness.

“It’s satisfying to say that to a guy that I think he’s 30 a game in high school last year, that’s kind of how his team is built,” Paris said. “He’s got a lot of tools. He can shoot the ball. He’s just very, very well-rounded offensive, really excited.”

Paris later noted the freedom that freshman guard Eli Ellis has when he’s playing on the court. When you look at the early games, those guys have been a huge part of the team’s offensive identity, Paris noted.

“So I think those are probably things that attract a young guy who’s a really gifted offensive guy,” Paris said. “Not to say that he chokes any responsibility defensively, he doesn’t, but his gifts, his real gifts (are) on the offensive end, and they’re tangible and they’re also very versatile.”

Ellis himself is excited to have another member of the Johnson family to play with next season.

“It’s awesome,” Ellis said. “… Meechie will be a great teacher for him and show him the ropes.”

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