Following an NCAA Tournament run in 2025, Ohio State Basketball added the pieces to return the program to national prominence.
Through graduation, the NBA draft, and the transfer portal, Ohio State basketball lost six of the key contributors from 2025. While roster turnover is part of the transient nature of modern-day college sports, Jake Diebler and his staff had the added challenge of filling the void left by the program’s all-time leading scorer, Bruce Thornton. With depth a priority and such rare leadership and experience exiting the program, the staff had to exercise due diligence this off-season.
Although there has been an exodus, the Buckeyes were able to retain key offensive pieces like John Mobley Jr and Amare Bynum. Mobley, in particular, has been challenged by both NBA scouts and Coach Diebler to improve in several areas. When asked what the scouts’ feedback was, Mobley said they emphasized “More aggressiveness” on both ends as well as “getting better at finishing and mid-range.”
Beyond these critiques, Diebler wants to see Juni “take a jump in efficiency,” as we anticipate him doing; he’s gotta take a jump in his leadership, which he’s been phenomenal at so far…and then he’s gotta continue to grow as a playmaker. He can do it. He has the ability to read the game at a high level.” Mobley will be expected to shoulder much of the responsibility and offensive load, utilizing his own skill set.
“We want to see Juni take a jump in efficiency… he’s got to take a jump in his leadership, which he’s been *phenomenal* [at] since we’ve been together this summer” pic.twitter.com/ODPSbcWgps
— Grant Kincaid (@GKincaid8) June 19, 2026
Amare Bynum, who averaged nearly 30 MPG during his freshman year, gained valuable experience and improved on both ends throughout the season. After noticeably slimming down this offseason, Bymum is expected to take a more consistent leap in his overall minutes and production, particularly on the offensive end, where he averaged 12.2 PPG and 76.5 FT% in his final 9 games. Amare also plans to take on more of a vocal leadership role, saying he “learned that from Bruce [Thornton] last year. We talked a lot [about it] last year.”
Aside from key returning pieces, the talent acquired through the portal this year is a welcome sight for both the coaching staff and fans. The transfers this year boast multiple years of experience and consistent scoring ability. The depth isn’t only evident from the numbers. In the summer practices that have been open to the press, the team is visibly much more capable of making an impact from top to bottom. With incoming five-star Anthony Thompson and LJ Smith added to the mix, Diebler should be able to plug guys in as he sees fit throughout the 2026 season.
The added guards in Justin Pippen, Curtis Givens III, and Jimmie Williams give the Buckeyes options who have proven capable of averaging in double digits and facilitating at a high level when needed. As incredible as Bruce Thornton was for OSU, the depth became such an issue in 2025 that Diebler explicitly set out to address it during the offseason:
“We needed another piece,” Diebler said, “We want to be able to shift between playing bigger… versus also playing three true guards and having the versatility.”
Williams and Givens give Diebler the ability to do just that. Pippen profiles as starting alongside Mobley Jr. in the backcourt. Alongside these guards was also UK big man Andrija Jelavic, who was going to help shoulder the load down low with Ivan Njegovan and Josh Ojianwuna. Without a marquee big man in quite some time and competing in a conference like the Big Ten, OSU’s need for one of these three to step up is paramount. With added depth and Ojianwuna assuming a large role this year, there will be plenty of pressure to do so.
Lastly, the pressure on Coach Diebler to take the next step may be higher than ever after last year’s tournament run. This isn’t lost on him, though, as he set out to not only win and replenish his roster depth but also hire a handful of highly experienced and respected assistants to aid alongside.
Jamall Walker, Mike Wells, Dave Richardson, and Will Buford have already been very hands-on and vocal throughout the summer. This has added a sense of urgency to the preparation needed to make a deeper run in 2026. With changes to roster, staff, and mentality, this coming year will be very telling of just how serious a program Diebler and company can be.
Grant Kincaid was born in Columbus, Ohio, and raised in Dayton. He serves as Creative Director and basketball contributor at The Silver Bulletin. At one point, Grant, a collegiate baseball player, also holds a B.A. in Management and Leadership Studies. Aside from the Buckeyes, he is an avid supporter of both the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals. His favorite Buckeyes include Braxton Miller, AJ Hawk, and Ted Ginn Jr.