Marcus Johnson

COLUMBUS (3-20-25) — Junior Marcus Johnson of Garfield Heights High School was named 2025 Ohio Mr. Basketball on Thursday by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association. Marcus Johnson gives his family the first father-son Mr. Basketball combination in Ohio history. His father, Sonny, now the head coach at Garfield Heights, won the award as a player at Garfield Heights in 1998.

Johnson will be presented with the award this weekend at the University of Dayton Arena during the OHSAA state boys basketball championships, a stage his team nearly reached before a 49-48 loss Sunday to Louisville in the Division III state semifinals. Johnson, a finalist last season as a sophomore, and has been an All-Ohio first-team selection since his freshman year.

Johnson won this season’s award with 110 points from the statewide panel. Delphos St. John’s junior Cam Elwer was the runner-up with 48 points and Olentangy Orange senior Devin Brown, whose team will play Saturday night for the Division I state championship, placed third in the voting with 43 points.

Elwer and Brown

Other finalists included Steubenville senior Aiden Davis, Brunswick junior Trey Drexler, and Kettering Archbishop Alter senior RJ Greer.

Drexler, Greer and Davis

Now in its 38th year, the prestigious Mr. Basketball award was first given by the Associated Press in 1988. It has been voted on by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association since 2017.

RELATED: (2024) Ottawa-Glandorf’s Colin White Named Ohio Mr. Basketball

Previous Ohio Mr. Basketball Winners

  • 2025 – Marcus Johnson, Garfield Heights
  • 2024 – Colin White, Ottawa-Glandorf
  • 2023 – Devin Royal, Pickerington Central
  • 2022 – Gabe Cupps, Centerville
  • 2021 – Malaki Branham, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary
  • 2020 – VonCameron Davis, Columbus Walnut Ridge
  • 2019 – Samari Curtis, Xenia
  • 2018 – Dane Goodwin, Upper Arlington
  • 2017 – Kaleb Wesson, Westerville South
  • 2016 – Xavier Simpson, Lima Senior  
  • 2015 – Luke Kennard, Franklin High School
  • 2014 – Luke Kennard, Franklin High School
  • 2013 – Marc Loving, Toledo St. John’s Jesuit  
  • 2012 – Justin Fritts, Mentor
  • 2011 – Trey Burke, Columbus Northland 
  • 2010 – Jared Sullinger, Columbus Northland
  • 2009 – Jared Sullinger, Columbus Northland
  • 2008 – William Buford, Toledo Libbey  
  • 2007 – Jon Diebler, Upper Sandusky
  • 2006 – O.J. Mayo, North College Hill
  • 2005 – O.J. Mayo, North College Hill
  • 2004 – Jamar Butler, Lima Shawnee  
  • 2003 – LeBron James, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary
  • 2002 – LeBron James, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary
  • 2001 – LeBron James, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary
  • 2000 – (tie) Tony Stockman, Medina; Chester Mason, Cleveland South
  • 1999 – Emmanuel Smith, Euclid    
  • 1998 – William “Sonny” Johnson, Garfield Heights  
  • 1997 – Kenny Gregory, Independence
  • 1996 – Jason Collier, Springfield Catholic
  • 1995 – Damon Stringer, Cleveland Heights
  • 1994 – Aaron Hutchins, Lima Central Catholic
  • 1993 – Geno Ford, Cambridge
  • 1992 – Greg Simpson, Lima Senior
  • 1991 – Greg Simpson, Lima Senior
  • 1990 – Bob Patton Jr., Youngstown Liberty
  • 1989 – Jimmy Jackson, Toledo Macomber
  • 1988 – Jimmy Jackson, Toledo Macomber