Basketball

Defensive Boot Camp: Inside Ohio State’s Physical Shift and Jake Diebler’s Dialed-Up Intensity

Ohio State basketball practice 07.21.26 | Image Credit: Blake Biscardi/The Silver Bulletin
July 22, 2026
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Ohio State basketball is undergoing a gritty defensive identity shift under Jake Diebler, turning up the practice intensity to build toughness for the upcoming season. COLUMBUS, Ohio – If the early returns from Ohio State’s summer practices are any indication, Jake Diebler has the Buckeyes undergoing a fundamental identity shift, beginning on defense.  Following a game-like mid-week workout on the hardwood, head coach Jake Diebler pulled back the curtain on…

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Ohio State Basketball: Two Five-Stars Enter the Program for First Time in Over a Decade

Instagram: Anthony Thompson
July 20, 2026
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Aside from the influx of talent from the transfer portal, Jake Diebler and his staff have landed two of the most talented freshmen for Ohio State in more than a decade. Anthony Thompson and LJ Smith add a dynamic layer to this roster that has been sorely missed. Diebler commented on the incoming class, saying, “I think it speaks more about what recruits and what people think about our program…

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Ohio State Athletics: Schottenstein Center Announces Major Video Board Upgrades for 2026 Season

Image Credit: Ohio State Athletics
July 17, 2026
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Ohio State announced plans for a major video board upgrade at the Schottenstein Center, which will be in place for the 2026 winter season. COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Schottenstein Center is undergoing a significant technological transformation this summer to revitalize the game-day atmosphere for Ohio State basketball and hockey fans. Ohio State Athletics announced Wednesday that the arena is being outfitted with a suite of high-definition LED video displays, a…

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Ohio State Basketball: Significant Depth and Raw Talent Added to a 2026 Team Eager to Return Program to National Prominence

July 13, 2026
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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…

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Ohio State Basketball: Ohio’s Four Basketball Powers to Meet Under Open Sky on October 7

Ohio’s four major basketball programs will play a preseason exhibition doubleheader outdoors on October 7. The CareSource Invitational, supporting mental health, will feature Ohio State vs. Cincinnati and Dayton vs. Xavier.
July 9, 2026
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Ohio’s four major basketball programs, Ohio State, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Xavier, will play in the CareSource Invitational on October 7, as the Buckeyes draw the Bearcats.  Ohio State, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Xavier will share a basketball court for the first time in program history. On October 7, the four programs will square off in outdoor exhibition games at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, home of the Cincinnati…

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Ohio State Basketball: Bruce Thornton Signs Rookie Contract with Houston Rockets

Jan 17, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Bruce Thornton (2) celebrates a ally with Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Jake Diebler during the second half against the UCLA Bruins at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
July 8, 2026
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Former Ohio State basketball point guard Bruce Thornton has agreed to terms on a rookie contract with the Houston Rockets. Former Ohio State point guard Bruce Thornton has signed a four-year, $9.3 million deal with the Houston Rockets, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The 22-year-old spent four seasons with the Ohio State Buckeyes before being selected with the 31st overall pick by the New York Knicks. Thornton was then…

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Breaking: Ohio State All-Time Leading Scorer Bruce Thornton Selected 31st Overall by Houston Rockets

Mar 12, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Bennett Stirtz (14) defends Ohio State Buckeyes guard Bruce Thornton (2) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images
June 24, 2026
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The Ohio State Buckeyes’ all-time leading scorer, Bruce Thornton, has been selected by the Houston Rockets at No. 31 overall in the NBA Draft. Brooklyn, NY – The Buckeyes’ all-time leading scorer has officially been selected into the National Basketball Association by the Houston Rockets. The Rockets had to make a trade with the New York Knicks for the 31st pick to select Thornton. This makes Thornton the first Buckeye…

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Ohio State Basketball: 5-Star Guard LJ Smith Reclassifies to 2026, Ready to Join Buckeyes

Image Credit: LJ Smith/Ohio State Hoops
June 15, 2026
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BOOM! 5-Star guard LJ Smith will reclassify to the 2026 recruiting class and join the Ohio State basketball team for the upcoming season.  The Buckeyes now have two 5-star recruits in the same class since 2008, as former 2027 recruit LJ Smith has announced his decision to reclassify and join the team for this season. BREAKING: Five-star guard LJ Smith is reclassifying from 2027 to 2026, multiple sources tell VFTSP….

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Ohio State Basketball: Former Buckeye Great William Burford Back with Scarlet and Gray

June 4, 2026
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Former Ohio State great William Buford is back with the Buckeyes as he joins Coach Diebler’s coaching staff for the 2026 season. William Buford is no stranger to basketball, the state of Ohio, or Ohio State. The former Buckeye started his playing career at Libbey High School in Toledo, Ohio, where it was immediately evident that he knew the sport well. He was one of the many Buckeyes to be…

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