Top-30 Guard Marcus Johnson Decommits from Ohio State Today

BREAKING: Top-30 senior Marcus Johnson has officially decommitted from Ohio State, shaking up the college basketball recruiting landscape just days after the Buckeyes secured a major commitment. Johnson announced his decision today, more than 18 months after committing to the program in April 2024.

The decommitment comes on the heels of Ohio State landing five-star recruit Anthony Thompson, the highest-ranked men’s basketball player to join the Buckeyes in over a decade. Thompson, ranked No. 13 nationally, chose Ohio State last week, intensifying the competition for spots in the program.

Johnson, a 6-foot-2 guard from Garfield Heights High School in Ohio, is ranked No. 28 in the SC Next 100 for the class of 2026. He earned the title of Mr. Basketball in Ohio last spring after an impressive junior season, averaging 29.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. Johnson further solidified his status as a top prospect during the Nike EYBL circuit with the Indy Heat, boasting an average of 19.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists across 15 games, including three standout performances with 30 points each.

The announcement also highlights the shifting dynamics within the Ohio State basketball program, which recently saw Jake Diebler take over as head coach, following the dismissal of Chris Holtmann. Johnson was Diebler’s first significant recruit, marking a pivotal moment in the new coach’s tenure.

Johnson’s father, Sonny Johnson, who was named Mr. Basketball in Ohio in 1998, played at Ohio University, adding a personal layer to Marcus’s decision. His decommitment raises questions about the future of Ohio State’s recruiting class, which now includes Thompson and fellow Ohio native Alex Smith, a four-star recruit.

As the recruiting season heats up, all eyes will be on Johnson’s next move and how Ohio State repositions itself in response to this unexpected change. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this development affects the Buckeyes’ strategy moving forward.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops and implications unfold for both Johnson and Ohio State basketball.