CLEVELAND — High school athletes in more than 30 states can now cash in on their name, image and likeness, just like college athletes. But Ohio is still not on that list. One basketball family spoke about how NIL could lure top young talent away from the Buckeye State. 

What You Need To Know

  • Marcus Johnson’s dad is Mr. Basketball 1988, coach Sonny Johnson of Garfield Heights High School
  • The OHSAA released a statement about NIL deals
  • High school athletes in more than 30 states can now cash in on their name, image and likeness

Marcus Johnson’s love for basketball started when he was just a little boy.

His main goal is to make it to the NBA to make his family proud.

“When I was a kid to be honest, when I was probably in first grade kindergarten, my dad always worked me out,” he said.

His dad is Mr. Basketball 1988, Coach Sonny Johnson of Garfield Heights High School said he is supporting his son in any way he can.

“They got him listed as one of the top 25 players in the country, some people got him 20, some people got him 24, I know ESPN has him in the top 15,” he said.

Marcus committed early to Ohio State University (OSU), and he’ll have to wait until he gets there for any kind of name, image, and likeness deals which allow athletes to earn money for endorsement deals or a strong social media presence. Ohio doesn’t allow them for high school athletes.

“We're losing a lot of players in the state of Ohio to schools, to other schools and other states because we don't have NIL here. And, you know, a lot of people don't have a lot of money,” he said.

Florida just joined more than 30 other states that do allow NIL deals for high school  athletes. Money that Coach Johnson said is drawing talent away from Ohio.

“I was at USA basketball camp, and a kid at a prep school, a parent showed me a check of $150,000, and I was like, wow. I mean, I couldn't believe it,” he said. 

The OHSAA released a statement, saying, “It put forward an NIL proposal to our member schools in May of 2022 and it was defeated by a 538-254 count. We have continued to discuss this issue and keep an eye on what they are doing in other states, but currently there is no momentum to bring forward a new proposal in Ohio.”

Now Coach Johnson said he has to figure out what to do with his own son.

“He's Ohio, kid. Nothing. Nothing is bigger than, you know, being in Ohio. We don't play for the money. But if you can play and somebody wants to start off in Ohio, what you did. Who am I to tell my son and not let him have opportunities,” he said.