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| Garfield Heights standout and Ohio State commit Marcus Johnson during the state semifinal game against Louisville in March. (Photo: Gene Simmons/Ohsfbmedia.com) |
GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio - Ohio State commit and current Ohio Mr. Basketball, Marcus Johnson, will remain in his hometown to complete his final year of high school basketball at Garfield Heights.
As reported by The Columbus Dispatch, several preparatory schools inquired about his services, which would have elevated him to a national platform and potentially led to agreements regarding name, image, and likeness. Which is prohibited at the prep level in Ohio.
In his junior year, he guided his team to the OHSAA state semifinals, achieving an average of 29.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 2.2 steals per game and ultimately winning the top award in the state.
"It wasn't my decision," said Johnson. "It was God's decision." I just prayed that God would give me signs where I should be, that wherever I go. I'll be successful at. I feel like the signs were to stay home. I believe I will be successful next year."
Johnson's father and coach, Sonny, reflect on his decision to stay at home, "He's done everything I need for him to do at Garfield Heights as far as taking the team to a state final four, winning Mr. Basketball, player of the year," Sonny Johnson said. "Now it's about time he does something for him."
The preparatory institutions he visited before deciding to remain at home included AZ Compass Prep in Arizona, Long Island Lutheran in New York, and discussions with schools such as IMG Academy in Florida and Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, as reported by Adam Jordy, a writer for The Columbus Dispatch.
The elder Johnson was a recipient of the Ohio Mr. Basketball award in 1998. He also mentioned, "We turned down money to go to prep schools."
Consequently, this directs his focus towards preparing to make an immediate impact at Ohio State after this final year of high school basketball.
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