NC State’s Markell Johnson Finishes Regular Season as ACC Assist Leader

NC State Point Guard Markell Johnson finished the regular season as the ACC assists leader, in assists per game (7.5) and total assists (180). To be honest, it wasn’t even close. Justin Robinson of Virginia Tech finished in second, but averaged 2 assists per game less than Johnson.

This marks the 8th time that a player from NC State has led the ACC in assists, and only the the 6th player to do so.

NC State ACC Single-Season Assist Leaders

1) Chris Corchiani – 9.6 – 1990-91
2) Chris Corchiani – 8.6 – 1988-89
3) Sidney Lowe – 7.7 – 1980-81
4) Markell Johnson – 7.5 – 2017-18
5) Lorenzo Brown – 7.2 – 2012-13
6) Dennis Smith Jr. – 6.2 – 2016-17
7) Spud Webb – 6.0 – 1983-84
8) Sidney Lowe – 5.7 – 1981-82

Postseason stats might not count when determining Conference single season leaders, but they do count towards a players season stats.

Currently, Johnson’s 7.5 assists is tied for the fifth highest single season average in NC State history. That’s the highest average from an NC State player in 27 years.

1) Chris Corchiani – 9.6 – 1990-91
2) Chris Corchiani – 8.6 – 1988-89
3) Chris Corchiani – 7.9 – 1989-90
4) Sidney Lowe – 7.7 – 1980-81
5) Markell Johnson – 7.5 – 2017-18
5) Sidney Lowe – 7.5 – 1982-83

With a couple of big games in the ACC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament, Johnson could finish the year in third or fourth in school history.

For what it’s worth, Corchiani, Lowe, Brown & Smith Jr all found themselves on an All-ACC team when they led the conference in assists. Five of the eight times an NC State player led the ACC in assists, they landed on an All-ACC team.

Chris Corchiani – 2nd Team (1989 & 91)
Sidney Lowe – 2nd Team (1981)
Lorenzo Brown – 2nd Team (2013)
Dennis Smith Jr. – 2nd Team (2017)

Markell Johnson got snubbed with an Honorable Mention.