The Ohio State men’s basketball team will be without a starting member for the foreseeable future. Adam Jardy of the Columbus Dispatch reported that Meechie Johnson has taken a leave of absence for personal reasons according to a team spokesman. It is unclear how long Johnson will be away from the team.

The news broke before the Buckeyes game with Valparaiso on Tuesday evening. Up to that point, Johnson had started the previous 10 games, averaging 9.1 points per game while shooting nearly 36 percent from the three-point line.

Johnson spent his first two years in Columbus before transferring to South Carolina where he starred for two seasons. He decided to enter the transfer portal at the end of last season and landed back in the place where his collegiate career began, stating he wanted to be closer to home.

USAToday SMG

Johnson’s absence will most definitely be felt on the floor as Ohio State prepares to take on Kentucky in the CBS Sports Classic on Saturday.

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