Cleveland native Meechie Johnson is getting his first NBA opportunity with the Lakers.
Los Angeles signed Johnson and former Marquette guard Chase Ross to Exhibit 10 contracts, according to Law Murray of The Athletic.
Johnson was born in Cleveland, attended Garfield Heights High School and spent six college seasons between Ohio State and South Carolina. He averaged 17.2 points, 4.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals for the Gamecocks last season.
Ross averaged 14.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists as a Marquette senior. The 6-foot-4 guard also led the Big East with 2.3 steals per game and earned all-defensive honors. He previously appeared in three Summer League games for Los Angeles.
As Rory Maher of Hoops Rumors noted, neither player is expected to make the Lakers’ opening-night roster. Both will likely be waived and directed toward the Coachella Valley Lakers, the organization’s G League affiliate.
If Johnson or Ross spends at least 60 days with Coachella Valley, he can collect an Exhibit 10 bonus worth as much as $91,000.
It’s probably a G League arrangement. It’s also a foot in the NBA door, which is all Johnson and Ross need it to be right now.
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