Ohio State’s Meechie Johnson Jr. takes leave of absence from team
Watch Ohio State’s Meechie Johnson, Evan Mahaffey after beating Campbell
Ohio State’s Meechie Johnson and Evan Mahaffey speak with reporters after beating Campbell on Nov. 22, 2024
Ohio State fifth-year guard Meechie Johnson Jr. is taking a leave of absence from the team to address some personal matters, according to a team spokesman.
Johnson is second on the team in minutes played, averaging 28.8 minutes while starting each of the first 10 games. He is fifth in scoring at 9.1 points per game and shooting 35.7% (20 for 56) from 3-point range.
A native of Northeast Ohio, Johnson played his first two seasons at Ohio State before transferring to South Carolina. Last year, he earned second-team all-SEC honors with the Gamecocks, averaging 14.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists in a career-year.
He then entered the transfer portal and returned to Ohio State, citing a desire to be closer to home and help first-year coach Jake Diebler get the Buckeyes back into the NCAA Tournament. He has been a primary contributor, even as his production has dipped compared to his last two seasons save for his 3-point shooting.
Johnson was one of three players to represent the Buckeyes during their pregame captains’ meeting Saturday in Atlanta before playing No. 2 Auburn at State Farm Arena. He scored 5 points in 29 minutes of a 91-53 loss.
There is no immediate known timetable for his potential return. Ohio State hosts Valparaiso on Tuesday night.
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