Markell Johnson

Johnson was born in Cleveland, Ohio.[https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/bio/_/id/4065699/markell-johnson "Markell Johnson"] ESPN. His mother is Sabrina Johnson, his father who passed away in 2016 was Mark Thomas Sr., his older sister is named Markishia, and his older brother is named Mark.[https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/rookie/2020/09/02/a-deafening-silence-how-markell-johnson-accepts-what-he-cant-change/77650304007/ "A Deafening Silence: How Markell Johnson accepts what he can't change,"] USA Today, September 2, 2020.[https://gopack.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/markell-johnson/8938 "Markell Johnson,"] gopack.com. He is 6' 2".

Johnson played basketball for four years at East Technical High School in Cleveland, Ohio. As a freshman, he scored 27 points and made a game-winning jump shot with 3.1 seconds left in overtime against Lake High School to help his team reach its first state semifinal since 1972.{{cite web |last1=Cassilo |first1=David |title=Markell Johnson jumper gives East Tech boys basketball 62-60 overtime win over Uniontown Lake in regional final |url=https://www.cleveland.com/highschoolsports/article/markell-johnson-jumper-gives-east-tech-boys-basketball-62-60-overtime-win-over-uniontown-lake-in-regional-final-video-slideshow/ |website=The Plain Dealer |accessdate=January 16, 2020 |date=March 15, 2014}} He was considered one of the best freshman in Ohio.{{cite web |last1=Fleer |first1=Zach |title=King James Shooting Stars Classic weekend recap |url=https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/4/27/5659592/king-james-shooting-stars-classic-weekend-recap |website=Land-Grant Holy Land |accessdate=January 16, 2020 |date=April 27, 2014}}

In his junior season in 2015–16, Johnson averaged 31.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.5 steals per game, leading East Tech to its third straight league title and a district semifinal appearance. He was named Cleveland.com Boys Basketball Player of the Year, Northeast Lakes Division II All-District Player of the Year by the Associated Press (AP), and All-Ohio Player of the Year in Division 1.{{cite web |last1=Goul |first1=Matt |title=East Tech's Markell Johnson tops AP Division II Northeast Lakes All-District boys basketball picks |url=https://www.cleveland.com/highschoolsports/article/east-techs-markell-johnson-tops-ap-division-ii-northeast-lakes-all-district-boys-basketball-picks-photos-poll/ |website=The Plain Dealer |accessdate=January 16, 2020 |date=March 2, 2016}}{{cite web |last1=Goul |first1=Matt |title=Boys basketball All-Stars 2016: East Tech's Markell Johnson is Player of the Year; see more honors |url=https://www.cleveland.com/highschoolsports/article/east-tech-junior-markell-johnson-eligible-to-graduate-early-still-weighing-options/ |website=The Plain Dealer |accessdate=January 16, 2020 |date=April 4, 2016}}

On May 2, 2016, Johnson decided to reclassify to the 2016 class and forgo his senior year.{{cite web |title=Ohio guard Markell Johnson to reclassify, play in college next season |url=https://usatodayhss.com/2016/ohio-guard-markell-johnson-to-reclassify-play-in-college-next-season |website=USA Today High School Sports |accessdate=January 16, 2020 |date=May 2, 2016}} On the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) circuit, he played for the King James Shooting Stars, a team affiliated with NBA player LeBron James.{{cite web |last1=Strelow |first1=Bret |title=Markell Johnson to provide valuable backcourt depth to N.C. State |url=https://www.fayobserver.com/22271752-3747-11e6-97c5-e3ee9a09efda.html |website=The Fayetteville Observer |accessdate=January 16, 2020 |date=June 20, 2016}} Johnson was a consensus four-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN, Rivals and Scout, and a top-100 overall recruit by ESPN (48), 247Sports (58), and Scout (66). He committed to play college basketball for NC State over offers from Louisville, Ohio State, Washington, and West Virginia, among others.{{cite web |title=NC State signs four-star guard Markell Johnson |url=https://www.si.com/college/2016/06/21/nc-state-recruiting-markell-johnson-signs-commits |website=Sports Illustrated |accessdate=January 16, 2020 |date=June 20, 2016}}

As a freshman at NC State, Johnson served as a backup to Dennis Smith Jr., who enrolled a year earlier than expected. As a sophomore he averaged 8.9 points and an Atlantic Coast Conference-leading 7.3 assists per game (5th in the NCAA).[https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/markell-johnson-1.html "Markell Johnson,"] Sports Reference.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=R. Cory |title=Markell Johnson Announces Return to NC State for Senior Season |url=https://247sports.com/college/north-carolina-state/Article/Markell-Johnson-Will-Return-to-NC-State-for-Senior-Season-132015077/ |accessdate=January 19, 2020 |work=247 Sports |date=May 24, 2019}} On December 19, 2018, Johnson set career-highs with 27 points and five three-pointers in a 78–71 upset of seventh-ranked Auburn.{{cite news |title=Johnson, Daniels help NC State stun No. 7 Auburn 78-71 |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401082845 |accessdate=January 19, 2020 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=December 19, 2018}} He averaged 8.9 points, 7.3 assists (leading the ACC), 3.4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals (5th) per game. He was named ACC Honorable Mention.

He missed three games as a junior with a back injury.{{cite news |last1=Friedlander |first1=Brett |title=Markell 3.0 key to Wolfpack hoop success in 2019-20 |url=https://www.si.com/college/ncstate/basketball/markel-johnson-media-day |accessdate=January 19, 2020 |work=Sports Illustrated |date=October 4, 2019}} As a junior Johnson averaged 12.6 points and 4.2 assists (6th in the ACC) per game, shooting 42.2 percent (4th) from behind the arc. After the season he declared for the 2019 NBA draft, but ultimately returned to NC State.{{cite news |last1=Tyree |first1=Ameer |title=NBA Draft 2019: Markell Johnson withdraws to play senior season at NC State |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/nba-draft-2019-markell-johnson-withdraws-to-play-senior-season-at-nc-state/w8lcjnsfj9hn11mydeddfwbkb |accessdate=January 19, 2020 |work=Sporting News |date=May 24, 2019}}

He injured his ankle in practice and missed the first game of his senior season, an overtime loss to Georgia Tech.{{cite news |last1=Friedlander |first1=Brett |title=Markell Johnson's season gets off on the wrong foot |url=https://www.si.com/college/ncstate/basketball/markell-johnson-injury |accessdate=January 19, 2020 |work=Sports Illustrated |date=November 6, 2019}} Johnson hit a halfcourt buzzer beater to defeat UNC Greensboro 80–77 on December 15, 2019.{{cite news |last1=Giglio |first1=Joe |title=Halfcourt buzzer-beater pushes NC State basketball team past UNCG |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/nc-state/article238405473.html |accessdate=January 19, 2020 |work=The News & Observer |date=December 15, 2019}} On December 22, Johnson recorded a triple-double of 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a 83–63 win over The Citadel. He became the third NC State player to ever achieve the feat, joining Dennis Smith Jr. and Julius Hodge.{{cite news |last1=Giglio |first1=Joe |title=Markell Johnson's triple-double leads NC State past The Citadel |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/nc-state/article238639708.html |accessdate=January 19, 2020 |work=The News & Observer |date=December 22, 2019}} He was named ACC player of the week on December 23.{{cite news |title=Markell Johnson named ACC Co-Player of the Week |url=https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/sports/ncaa/ncaab/nc-state-point-guard-markell-johnson-earns-acc-hoops-honor/83-4dbe87a6-0d76-401a-955f-d3831c41790e |accessdate=January 19, 2020 |work=WFMY |date=December 23, 2019}} Johnson scored a career-high 28 points and made a halfcourt shot in a 88–66 upset of sixth-ranked Duke on February 19, 2020.{{cite news |title=Unranked NC State beats No. 6 Duke in 22-point rout |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/28741068/unranked-nc-state-beats-no-6-duke-22-point-rout |accessdate=February 20, 2020 |work=ESPN |date=February 19, 2020}} At the conclusion of the regular season, Johnson was selected to the Second Team All-ACC.{{cite web|url=https://theacc.com/news/2020/3/8/athlete-awards-2020-acc-mens-basketball-award-winners-announced.aspx|title=2020 ACC Men's Basketball Award Winners Announced|website=theacc.com|publisher=Atlantic Coast Conference|date=March 9, 2020|accessdate=March 9, 2020}} As a senior, Johnson led the ACC in assists per game (6.8; 8th in the NCAA) for the second time in his career, while also averaging 12.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.9 steals (3rd) per game.{{cite web |last1=Bradham |first1=Matthew |title=Markell Johnson's Senior Year ACCDN Highlight Reel |url=https://packinsider.com/2020/03/22/markell-johnsons-senior-year-accdn-highlight-reel/ |website=Pack Insider |accessdate=March 27, 2020 |date=March 22, 2020}}

On August 6, 2020, Johnson signed a two-year contract with Beşiktaş of the Turkish Basketball Super League (BSL).{{cite web |title=Markell Johnson Beşiktaş'ta |url=https://bjk.com.tr/tr/haber/79263/ |publisher=Beşiktaş J.K. |accessdate=August 6, 2020 |date=August 6, 2020 |language=Turkish}} In 2020–21 he averaged 7.0 points, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.[https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/players/markell-johnson-1.html "Markell Johnson International Stats,"] Basketball Reference.

In October 2021, he signed with Pieno žvaigždės Pasvalys of the Lithuanian Basketball League.{{cite web |title=P.Petrilevičius: it is very difficult to compete with an incomplete team, I put all hope into a new player |url=https://www.newsy-today.com/p-petrilevicius-it-is-very-difficult-to-compete-with-an-incomplete-team-i-put-all-hope-into-a-new-player/ |website=Newsy Today |access-date=November 22, 2021 |date=October 26, 2021}} Johnson averaged 12.0 points, 4.3 assists (7th in the league), and 1.4 steals (10th) per game, while shooting 42.1% from three point range (9th).[https://basketball.realgm.com/international/league/10/Lithuanian-LKL/stats/2022/Averages/Qualified/All/points/All/desc/1/Regular_Season "2021-2022 Lithuanian LKL Stats,"] Realgm.

On July 5, 2022, Johnson signed with MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg of the German Basketball Bundesliga (BBL).{{Cite web|url=https://mhp-riesen-ludwigsburg.de/news/schnell-athletisch-explosiv-markell-johnson-unterschreibt-bei-den-mhp-riesen/|title=Schnell, athletisch, explosiv: Markell Johnson unterschreibt bei den MHP RIESEN|last=|first=|date=July 5, 2022|website=mhp-riesen-ludwigsburg.de|publisher=|language=de|access-date=July 5, 2022}} On August 23, 2022, he was released by the club, as he failed his medical.{{Cite web|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/ludwigsburg-agrees-to-deal-with-billy-garrett-jr/|title=Ludwigsburg agrees to deal with Billy Garrett jr|last=|first=|date=August 23, 2022|website=|publisher=Sportando|language=En|access-date=August 23, 2022}}

On November 19, 2022, Johnson signed with BC Astana of the Kazakhstan Basketball Championship.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurobasket.com/Germany/news/778870/Astana-signs-Markell-Johnson,-ex-Ludwigsburg|title=Astana signs Markell Johnson, ex Ludwigsburg|last=|first=|date=November 19, 2022|website=|publisher=Eurobasket|language=En|access-date=November 21, 2022}} In 2022–23, he averaged 12.1 points, 4.9 assists (8th in the league), and 1.8 steals (4th) per game.[https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/vtb-united/2023.html "VTB United League - 2022-23 Standings and Stats ,"] Baseball Reference. On July 20, 2023, he came back to BC Astana.{{cite web |title=Markell Johnson with us! |url=https://pbcastana.kz/en/news/?id=4939 |website=Баскетбольный клуб «Астана» |access-date=13 November 2024 |date=20 July 2023}} In 2023–24, he averaged 16.5 points (8th in the league), 7.2 assists (2nd), and 2.2 steals (leading the league) per game, while shooting 80.0% from the free throw line.[https://basketball.realgm.com/international/league/35/VTB-United-League/stats/2024/Averages/Qualified/All/points/All/desc/1/Regular_Season "2023-2024 VTB United League Stats ,"] Realgm. On July 7, 2024, he re-signed with BC Astana.{{cite web |title=Markell Johnson extends with Astana |url=https://vtb-league.com/en/news/markell-johnson-extends-with-astana/ |website=VTB United League |access-date=13 November 2024 |date=7 July 2024}} On November 4, he left BC Astana.{{cite web |title=Markell, thank you for the game! |url=https://pbcastana.kz/en/news/?id=5649 |website=Баскетбольный клуб «Астана» |access-date=13 November 2024 |date=4 November 2024}}

On November 13, 2024, he signed with Shenzhen Leopards of the Chinese Basketball Association.{{cite web |title=深圳男篮签约布克&特雷沃-汤普森&马凯尔-约翰逊&邓-阿库斯 |url=https://news.zhibo8.com/nba/2024-11-13/67343fe9e653bnative.htm |website=直播吧 |access-date=13 November 2024 |date=13 November 2024}} Johnson averaged 17.1 points, 7.7 assists (6th in the league), and 2.0 steals (8th) per game while shooting 80.4% from the free throw line.[https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/cba-china/2025_per_game.html "2024-25 Chinese Basketball Association Player Stats - Per Game, "] Basketball Reference.

On April 1, 2025, Johnson signed with Bnei Herzliya of the Israel Basketball Premier League, for whom he plays point guard.[https://www.365scores.com/basketball/league/cba-5911/transfers "CBA, China: Transfers,"] 365 Scores.[https://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/Markell-Johnson/402801 "Markell Johnson,"] Eurobasket.

{{NBA player statistics legend}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2016–17

| style="text-align:left;"| NC State

| 30 || 3 || 20.4 || .377 || .250 || .577 || 1.6 || 2.3 || .9 || .3 || 4.0

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18

| style="text-align:left;"| NC State

| 26 || 24 || 29.1 || .460 || .409 || .609 || 3.4 || 7.3 || 1.7 || .2 || 8.9

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19

| style="text-align:left;"| NC State

| 33 || 30 || 25.3 || .488 || .422 || .747 || 2.6 || 4.2 || 1.1 || .2 || 12.6

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20

| style="text-align:left;"| NC State

| 31 || 30 || 34.1 || .405 || .267 || .606 || 4.4 || 6.8 || 1.9 || .3 || 12.8

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 120 || 87 || 27.2 || .437 || .344 || .646 || 3.0 || 5.1 || 1.4 || .3 || 9.7

{{S-end}}

• List of All-Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball teams

{{Reflist}}

• [https://gopack.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/markell-johnson/8938 NC State Wolfpack bio]
• [https://basket.co.il/player.asp?PlayerId=21760&lang=en "Markell Johnson,"] Israel Basketball

{{Bnei Herzliya Basket current roster}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Markell}}

Category:1998 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century American sportsmen

Category:American expatriate basketball people in China

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Israel

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Kazakhstan

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Lithuania

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Turkey

Category:American men's basketball players

Category:Basketball players from Cleveland

Category:BC Astana players

Category:BC Pieno žvaigždės players

Category:Beşiktaş men's basketball players

Category:Bnei Herzliya basketball players

Category:NC State Wolfpack men's basketball players

Category:Point guards

Category:Shenzhen Leopards players