Markell Johnson joins NC State's program

NC State has perfected the art of scrambling in the spring, with Cleveland (Ohio) East Tech point guard Markell Johnson the latest example.

Johnson, who Rivals.com ranks No. 40 overall in the class of 2017, will be making the move to the class of 2016 and picked NC State over Texas A&M, Ohio State, Xavier, West Virginia, Louisville, Virginia Tech and others Monday. He signed his non-binding scholarship papers — letters of intent aren't available after May 18 — and will arrive in Raleigh in August.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Johnson has been a standout this spring on the King James traveling team, which is sponsored by LeBron James, of the newly crowned Cleveland Cavaliers, creating an exciting last 24 hours for Johnson and others in his hometown. Johnson is averaging 18.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game, and shooting 49.4 percent from the field and 34.8 percent on three-pointers for King James.

Johnson officially visited NC State on June 8-9, and then made a weekend trip to see Texas A&M. NCSU assistant coach Orlando Early was the point man for the Wolfpack on Johnson, who earned a Wolfpack scholarship Dec. 12, 2015.

Johnson joins freshman center Omer Yurtseven of Turkey and freshman power forward Darius Hicks of Quitman, Miss., in NC State's class of 2016. The Wolfpack also have Charlotte guard transfer Torin Dorn and redshirt freshman point guard Dennis Smith as part of the newcomers next year.