The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/896287
BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2017-18 ■ Markell Johnson 11 • G So. • Cleveland • 6-1 • 165 Analysis: Johnson showed flashes of being a scrappy defensive player during his rookie season. With his quickness and athleticism, he should take on a larger role offensively this season as NC State's potential starting point guard. Career Highlights: Played in 30 games as a freshman and made three starts … Finished second on the team in assists (68) and steals (26) … Scored a career-best 12 points against Notre Dame and had a second double-digit contest with 11 points against Virginia … Was a consensus four-star recruit coming out of East Tech High in Cleveland … Averaged 31.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game his last season … Was named the Cleveland.com Boys Basketball Player of the Year, All-Ohio Player of the Year in Division 1 and Associated Press Northeast Lakes All-District Player of the Year in District 2 … Led East Tech to its first appearance in the state semifinals since 1972 during his freshman season by scoring 27 points and hitting the game-winner at the buzzer in overtime. Coach's Corner: "One of the things I am trying to get him to do is be more offensive minded. He played with Den- nis Smith last year and kind of played a secondary role as a guard. I am asking him to score the basketball a little bit more." — Kevin Keatts Personal: Sports management major … Son of Sabrina Johnson … Has a sister and a brother … Birthday is Aug. 25. STATISTICS Year G-GS MPG PPG RPG APG FG% 3FG% FT% 2016-17 30-3 20.4 4.0 1.6 2.3 37.7 25.0 57.7 Ten Questions With Markell Johnson What's your biggest pet peeve? Somebody leaving clothes in the washer when I'm trying to wash. What was your favorite part of Italy? Shopping. If you could pick your NBA team, which one would you play for? Boston Celtics. Who is your favorite non-basketball athlete? Floyd May - weather. When did you first dunk a basketball? Freshman year [in high school]. If you do not see me on the basketball court, where would you most likely find me? In my room playing games. Who is the funniest player on the team? Darius Hicks. In a few words, what was your first impres - sion of coach Kevin Keatts? Definitely a good first impression. If you knew you could have only one last meal, what would it be? Chicken tenders or my mom's jambalaya. Is there was a race on the team to see who was the fastest player, who'd win? Torin Dorn. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN 72 ■ THE WOLFPACKER