Ohio State Basketball: 2026 Offseason Roster Tracker and Transfer Portal Targets

Posted By on March 29, 2026

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Jake Diebler and Ohio State basketball have four Buckeyes exiting the program, and will look to fill their roles from the transfer portal.

The 2025 Ohio State basketball season is in the books, and we look forward to the 2026-27 season. The Buckeyes look to replace their captain, Bruce Thornton, along with Christoph Tilly, Brandon Noel, and Puff Johnson, who have all used up their four years of eligibility. This opens four roster spots before the Transfer Portal cycle opens. 

Jake Diebler mentioned on his radio show in March that roster retention is key, and the Buckeyes have several players they need to retain for the 2026 season. John Mobley has announced he will return to Columbus for his junior season if the NBA does not pan out. But one of the key players Coach Diebler will need to return is Sophomore Amare Bynum, who will be a hot commodity for high major teams to try to sway away from the Buckeyes. Bynum has announced his intentions to remain in Columbus.

This will be where The Silver Bulletin will update every move made during the 2026 Buckeye basketball offseason, from transfer portal entrants to commitments. The transfer portal officially opens on April 7th.

Returnees (As of 4/8/2026)

Guards: John Mobley Jr (JR), Braylen Nash (JR), Myles Herro (RS FR) 

Forwards: Amare Bynum (SO)

Centers: Josh Ojianwuna (RS SR), Ivan Njegovan (JR) 

Incoming Freshman (As of 4/05/2026)

  • 5-Star Anthony Thompson 
  • 4-Star Alex Smith 

Anthony Thompson is the highest-ranked and first five-star commit since Thad Matta was able to land D’Angelo Russell in the 2014 recruiting cycle. Thompson provides something the Buckeyes have not had in years: a forward who can do almost anything on the court.

Alex Smith comes from Upper Arlington and has been committed to the Buckeyes since September 2024, the longest commit in the Ohio State class. Smith played his senior season at Prolific Prep, where he helped lead the team to a championship and earned MVP honors. The 6’9 forward still has room to grow in height and on the court, as many scouts have given him props on how his game has translated in prep ball.

Transfer Portal Entrees (As of 4/8/2026)

Devin Royal | 6’7 Senior Forward | One Year of Eligibility Remaining

Devin Royal spent three years in a Buckeye uniform and was one of the key pieces to a team that created a new identity under Jake Diebler. Royal was one of three players on the Buckeye roster from Columbus, Ohio, and was seen as a hometown favorite during his time as a Buckeye. He finishes his Buckeye career with 1018 points in 96 total games played in the Scarlet and Gray.

Read The Silver Bulletin’s report on Royal Entering the Transfer Portal Here. 

Colin White | 6’6 Junior Forward | Two Years of Eligibility Remaining

Travis Branham of 247Sports first reported the news of White entering the transfer portal. The 6’6 forward will have two seasons of eligibility remaining. The Ohio native averaged 0.9 points, 0.4 assists, and 1.0 rebounds while shooting 39.3% from the field. The Ottawa-Glandorf product was the recipient of the 2024 Ohio Mr. Basketball Award, given to the state’s best player. In that season, he averaged 25.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.6 steals. In addition, White led his team to consecutive state tournament game appearances in his junior and senior seasons.

Read The Silver Bulletin’s report on White Entering the Transfer Portal Her.e

Gabe Cupps | 6’2 Junior Guard | Two Years of Eligibility Remaining

Plagued by nagging injuries and spotty playing time (12.3 MPG), Cupps was unable to find the success that either he or Jake Diebler had hoped for. With that being said, Gabe Cupps had strong showings against both Michigan and TCU at the end of the season by flashing standout defense and clutch three-point shooting down the stretch for the Buckeyes.

Read The Silver Bulletin’s report on Cupps Entering the Transfer Portal Here.

Taison Chatman | 6’4 Junior Guard | Two Years of Eligibility Remaining

Chatman is the fourth Buckeye to announce his decision to transfer, joining Devin Royal, Colin White, and Gabe Cupps. Chatman dealt with season-ending injuries in his first season with the Buckeyes. The redshirt sophomore appeared in 28 games this season, averaging 4.3 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.8 assists. The Minnesota native looks to reestablish himself where he was in High School as he looks for his new home.

Read The Silver Bulletin’s report on Cupps Entering the Transfer Portal Here.

Transfer Portal Targets (As of 4/8/2026)

Jake Fiegen | 6’4 Senior Guard | Cornell 

83 GP, 45 Starts | 17.1 PPG 5 RPG 54% FG 41% 3PT

Devin Vanterpool | 6’4 Junior Guard | FAU *

54 GP, 24 Starts | 15.8 PPG 6 RPG 2 APG 44% FG 35% 3PT

Devin Brown | 6’6 Sophomore Forward | Davidson *

34 GP, 27 Starts | 6.4 PPG 3 RPG 40% FG 31% 3PT

Jalen Haralson | 6’7 Sophomore Guard | Notre Dame

27 GP, 23 Starts | 16 PPG 4 RPG 2 APG 51% FG 20% 3PT

Isaiah Denis | 6’4 Sophomore Guard | North Carolina *

10 Games Played | 1.9 PPG 50% FG 50% 3PT 

Isaiah Johnson | 6’1 Sophomore Guard | Colorado *

32 GP 15 Starts | 17 PPG 3 APG 1 SPG 49% FG 38% 3PT

Kahmare Holmes | 6’5 Junior Guard | Wofford

54 GP 26 Starts | 19 PPG, 6 RPG, 3 APG, 50% FG, 35% 3PT

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