Potential Transfer Portal Targets For Buckeye Hoops

Posted By on March 30, 2022

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The transfer portal has completely changed the landscape of college basketball in recent years.

Programs have the ability to reload with experienced talent thanks to the portal.

The Ohio State Buckeyes in recent memory have utilized the portal to attract solid players to the program. Last year, Chris Holtmann was able to attract point guard Jamari Wheeler, combo guard Cedric Russell, and center Joey Brunk to Columbus.

There are still many pieces at play with this roster as Ohio State awaits the decisions of of a few players, most notably Malaki Branham and Justice Sueing.

Therefore, it is plausible that the Buckeyes may need to add a few veterans from the portal. The following are names that would make sense.

André Curbelo, Point Guard, Illinois

The Buckeyes desperately need a true point guard on the roster.

André Curbelo, the 2021 Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year, is easily the top point guard in the transfer portal.

Curbelo would be a great fit with the Buckeyes as he would bring two seasons of Big Ten experience with him, and allow incoming freshman Bruce Thornton to find his bearings before being shoved into big minutes.

Furthermore, it should be noted that Curbelo was a high school teammate with Ohio State center Zed Key at Long Island Lutheran and the two are considered good friends. Right away there is a clear connection to the Buckeyes.

Curbelo’s passing and defense would make the Buckeyes a much better team on both sides of the ball.

Jalen Bridges, Small Forward, West Virginia

The small forward from West Virginia has Ohio State on his shortlist.

In 2019 Bridges took an official visit to Columbus and received and offer from the coaching staff, but ultimately chose to play for Bob Huggins and the Mountaineers.

Overall, Bridges is consistent in all aspects of his game. He is a prototypical wing players that could give the Buckeyes a much needed boost at the small forward position that was a black hole this season.

Surely the Buckeyes would welcome a power-five wing averaging 8.4 points per game along with 4.8 rebounds per game.

The question is can Holtmann lock him down this time?

Mo Njie, Center, Eastern Michigan

Another name that was connected to Ohio State during his initial recruitment, Mo Njie unofficially visited Ohio State in 2018, but was not offered a scholarship.

The Buckeyes could use extra size in the paint with the departures of E.J. Liddell, Kyle Young, and Joey Brunk. Currently, Njie measures in at 6′ 10″ and 245 lbs.

The rising sophomore averaged 6.6 points per game and 5.3 rebounds per game with Eastern Michigan this year. The local kid from Centerville High School could make an impact if given the opportunity.

Recently Njie has visited Pitt, but he still remains in the portal.

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