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As we discussed a few days ago, Mark Gottfried was doing all he could to add a backup PG. Yesterday all of that work paid off.

NC State got a huge commitment from Markell Johnson, a 6’1, 170lb PG from Cleveland. Johnson will quickly slot in behind Dennis Smith Jr and likely take the reigns of Smith ends up being a 1 and done as many have predicted.

Johnson was actually a 2017 prospect, but he’s a few summer classes away from being 2016 eligible. While that may not seem like a big deal to some, it’s a huge deal if you understand the immediate needs of this years Wolfpack team.

Make no mistake. These recent moves have signified that NC State is going for it this season. Smith might be here only one year, Yurtseven might just be here one year, Terry Henderson will graduate and Abu might head to the pros as well. This means Gottfried’s job is twofold. Win now, and build a contender for reloading in 2017. Johnson being in the 2016 class makes this all possible.

For now Johnson would be a talented backup who would be allowed to learn the ropes of the college game behind Smith, and then step in as a starter when Smith heads to the NBA. Johnson needs the year of tutelage. He’s younger than most 2016 recruits, and while he’s athletic, quick and elusive, he has some polishing up to do before he’s capable of being an elite guard at the ACC level.

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