The transfer portal has closed and Ohio State’s roster is still a work in progress.
In other words, it’s the offseason in men’s college basketball. Last year, Ohio State lost five players to the transfer portal. First-year coach Jake Diebler signed five more and added four first-year players including one walk-on.
It was a lot to keep track of. This year, after having missed the NCAA Tournament for a third straight season, will be more of the same. In fact, there might be greater changes ahead as roster limits are expected to be expanding to 15 scholarship players.
Ohio State is in the market for multiple players. As of the April 22 closing of the portal, the Buckeyes were in the mix for another forward and wing. As June opened, the pursuit for a wing player continued.
You can keep tabs on players the Buckeyes have been linked to via the transfer portal by checking this link, which will be updated throughout the offseason.
Here’s the latest information on Ohio State’s roster: who is coming, who is going and how it all fits together. This page will be updated throughout the spring.
Who has entered the transfer portal?
On March 18, sophomore center Austin Parks announced that he was entering the portal with two years of eligibility remaining. He became the first player from the 2024-25 team to transfer out.
On March 24, junior wing Evan Mahaffey also entered the transfer portal.
On March 28, guard Meechie Johnson Jr. entered the portal with plans on applying for a mental health medical hardship waiver and a sixth year of eligibility. He committed to South Carolina.
On April 1, center Aaron Bradshaw entered the portal after one year with the Buckeyes. He has two years of eligibility remaining. He has committed to Memphis.
Kalen Etzler has a year of eligibility remaining and while it’s not clear what lies ahead for him, he is not viewed as someone who will be back with the Buckeyes.
Walk-on Colby Baumann will graduate this summer and will not return to Ohio State, instead starting life after college.
A few hours before the portal closed, power forward Sean Stewart entered the portal after one year with the Buckeyes. He has two years of eligibility remaining. On May 7, he committed to Oregon.
Who exhausted their eligibility?
This is a question with more nuance than usual. Two players are officially done with college basketball: Micah Parrish and Ques Glover, who spent six and five years, respectively, in the sport.
They cannot return next year. Technically, Johnson would’ve had the ability to do so assuming approval of his mental health medical hardship waiver, but he has entered the portal.
How many open roster spots does Ohio State have?
Again, it’s complicated. Removing Glover, Johnson and Parrish from the equation, Ohio State would have 13 players available to return in 2025-26. With the departures of Bradshaw, Etzler, Mahaffey, Parks and Stewart, that number drops to eight. Remove walk-ons Colby Baumann and Braylen Nash, and it drops to six.
Two freshmen signed with the program in the fall, but one will not enroll. On June 2, freshman Myles Herro announced his commitment to the program, filling the roster space that had been pegged for Dorian Jones and joining Amare Bynum in the 2025 class. One day later, European wing Mathieu Grujicic announced his commitment to the Buckeyes.
The additions of transfer guard Gabe Cupps from Indiana, Santa Clara center Christoph Tilly, Wright State forward Brandon Noel and Oregon center Josh Ojianwuna would give Ohio State 13 players, potentially leaving two open spots.
However, it is possible that Ohio State doesn’t use all 15 roster spots and stops at 13. The Buckeyes also could give partial scholarships to some players, meaning they could have 14 players occupying 13 “scholarship” spots.
Who is on the Ohio State roster?
Until a player has announced his departure, his name will appear on this list. Here’s who is able to return and be part of the 2025-26 roster:
Senior: Bruce Thornton (announced return April 3), Christoph Tilly, Brandon Noel (sixth year), Josh Ojianwuna
Juniors/third year: Taison Chatman, Gabe Cupps, Devin Royal (announced return April 5)
Sophomores: John Mobley Jr (announced return March 27), Braylen Nash (walk-on), Ivan Njegovan (announced return May 5), Colin White
Freshmen: Amare Bynum, Mathieu Grujicic, Myles Herro
How many freshmen are signed for 2025?
Ohio State signed a two-man class in November. Together, Amare Bynum and Dorian Jones comprised a class ranked No. 40 nationally and eighth in the Big Ten by 247Sports. During the fall, Diebler said it was unlikely the Buckeyes would sign more freshmen, instead indicating a preference for versatility in the transfer portal.
On May 30, however, Jones announced that he would not be attending Ohio State this year. He is likely to go the prep school route and could join the Buckeyes for the 2026-27 season. Three days later, Herro announced his commitment to Ohio State. The next day, Grujicic joined the fold.
Ohio State men’s basketball beat writer Adam Jardy can be reached at ajardy@dispatch.com, on Bluesky at @cdadamjardy.bsky.social or on Twitter at @AdamJardy.
