Meechie Johnson Returns to South Carolina, Reuniting with Gamecocks for Final Season
Meechie Johnson is making his way back to South Carolina for one last run with the Gamecocks. The former Ohio State and USC guard announced his decision on social media, confirming his return to play under Lamont Paris for the 2025-26 season.
Johnson’s Decision to Return
Johnson, who also considered Vanderbilt, ultimately chose to finish his college career where he thrived from 2022 to 2024. He made his announcement through a highlight video from his previous stint with South Carolina, ending with a simple but powerful message:
“I’m back.”
His return is a huge boost for the Gamecocks, who are losing key guards Jacobi Wright and Jamarii Thomas to graduation. Johnson, a proven scorer, will help fill that gap after averaging 14.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in his last full season at USC. His strong performance also earned him second-team All-SEC honors and helped the Gamecocks reach their first NCAA Tournament in seven years.
No Hard Feelings After His Departure
Johnson initially left South Carolina after the 2023-24 season to return to Ohio State, where he had started his college career. However, his time there was brief—he played in 10 games (all starts), averaging 9.1 points per game before stepping away from the team in December for personal reasons.
Head coach Lamont Paris never held Johnson’s departure against him, emphasizing their strong relationship.
“There’s no such thing as a surprise when it comes to a roster,” Paris said in July 2024. “No ill will whatsoever. I love the kid. I love his dad. … When he gets married, he’s gonna invite me to his wedding, and I’m gonna go to it. It’s just a decision he made.”
Because Johnson played in only 10 games at Ohio State, he is eligible to apply for a mental health hardship waiver, which could grant him another year of college basketball.
Johnson’s Personal Battle
After announcing his return, Johnson took to X (formerly Twitter) to reflect on his unconventional journey.
“Going back to the same two schools twice… this isn’t what I imagined nor thought my career would be like. But I serve a perfect, merciful, and graceful God, and I know this is His journey for me.”
In an interview with The Columbus Dispatch, Johnson opened up about his struggles with mental health, explaining why he stepped away from basketball in December.
“I was just going through a lot mentally. Mental health is serious. It’s something I’ve dealt with my whole life. … Basketball is usually my outlet, but I just didn’t feel like myself. I had to focus on my mental health. That was that.”
Building the 2025-26 Roster
Johnson is the third addition for South Carolina through the transfer portal, joining North Dakota’s Treysen Eaglestaff and Providence’s Christ Essandoko. The Gamecocks officially announced Eaglestaff’s signing on Tuesday, while South Florida guard Kobe Knox was also on a visit to Columbia.
Current Roster Outlook
- Out of Eligibility (4): Jacobi Wright, Jamarii Thomas, Myles Stute (pursuing waiver), Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk
- Transferring Away (4): Austin Herro, Zach Davis, Arden Conyers, Nick Pringle
- NBA Draft Decision (1): Collin Murray-Boyles
- Incoming Transfers (3): Christ Essandoko (Providence), Treysen Eaglestaff (North Dakota), Meechie Johnson (Ohio State)
- Returning Players (4): Morris Ugusuk, Cam Scott, Jordan Butler, Okku Federiko
- Incoming Freshmen (4): Eli Ellis, Grant Polk, EJ Walker, Hayden Assemian
With Johnson back in the mix, South Carolina strengthens its backcourt as it looks to build on last season’s tournament run.
