In a major twist on the recruiting trail, one of the nation’s top basketball prospects has flipped his commitment, spurning North Carolina in favor of Gonzaga. The unexpected move sent shockwaves across the college basketball world and added yet another layer of intrigue to the 2025 recruiting cycle.
5-star wing Marcus Johnson, widely regarded as a top-15 player in the class of 2025, announced late Monday that he would be decommitting from his previous school — which had surprised many by landing him early — and instead committing to Mark Few and the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Johnson originally committed to an SEC program in what many considered a surprise pick, bypassing traditional bluebloods like UNC, Kentucky, and Duke. But now, after a reevaluation of his future, Johnson has decided Spokane is the place he wants to be.
“I have so much respect for the program I was originally committed to, but after long talks with my family and my coaches, I’ve realized that Gonzaga is the best fit for me, on and off the court,” Johnson said in a statement. “Coach Few has a history of developing pros, and I love the system they run. It just feels right.”
Johnson, a 6-foot-6 athletic wing out of California, is known for his explosive scoring ability, perimeter defense, and high basketball IQ. His game fits perfectly within Gonzaga’s up-tempo, skill-oriented offense. The Bulldogs have consistently produced high-level wings who have gone on to succeed in the NBA, including the likes of Corey Kispert and Julian Strawther.
For North Carolina, the news comes as a stinging blow. The Tar Heels were considered one of the frontrunners after Johnson decommitted from his previous school. He even took an unofficial visit to Chapel Hill last month, and insiders believed UNC’s player development pitch and basketball history had them in a great position. But Gonzaga swooped in and closed the deal quickly.
Sources close to the situation say Gonzaga’s longstanding relationship with Johnson — dating back to his sophomore year — played a major role. Assistant coach Brian Michaelson led the charge and made consistent inroads with Johnson’s family and AAU coaches.
This commitment gives Gonzaga its first five-star pledge in the 2025 class and marks a significant statement as the program prepares to enter a new phase post-Drew Timme. Johnson’s commitment solidifies the Bulldogs’ recruiting momentum, following several key additions over the last few cycles.
Recruiting experts see Johnson as a potential one-and-done player with NBA lottery upside. His ability to create off the dribble, guard multiple positions, and shoot from deep makes him one of the most complete wings in the class.
With his commitment now public, Johnson plans to shut down his recruitment entirely and focus on his senior season. For Gonzaga fans, the message is clear: the Zags are still a major force in college basketball, capable of going toe-to-toe with the sport’s biggest names — and winning.
This recruiting flip just made Gonzaga’s future a whole lot brighter.