June has been anything but quiet for Ohio State men's basketball, with a whirlwind of events keeping fans on their toes. Just last week, LJ Smith's reclassification stirred the pot, and this week brought even more excitement as Bruce Thornton, the all-time leading scorer for the Buckeyes, was snapped up by the Houston Rockets in the second round of the NBA Draft.
Adding to the buzz, Ohio State hosted its annual "Vet Week," a cherished tradition where former Buckeyes return to campus. They hit the gym and the court alongside the current squad, sharing wisdom and scrimmaging with the new generation.
Not all alumni lace up their sneakers, though; some are there to impart life lessons beyond basketball. This year's roster of returning stars includes Jae’Sean Tate, E.J.
Liddell, Brice Sensabaugh, and a host of others like Scoonie Penn and Jared Sullinger, all gathering to inspire and connect with the current team.
Turning our attention to recruiting, the conversation last week centered on the 2027 class. With no recruits currently committed and Smith joining the team early, the pressure is on for Jake Diebler and his staff to bolster their ranks. Connor and Justin have their eyes on two prospects: Lakota West guard Joshua Tyson, a long-time Ohio State target, and DeMarcus Henry, a top-tier small forward with family ties to the Buckeye athletic community.
Looking ahead to the NBA Draft, Bruce Thornton was the lone Buckeye to hear his name called this year, ending a three-year drought for Ohio State draftees. But the future looks promising, with several players poised to make the leap next year. While fans might dread the thought of losing talent early, the prospect of having three players drafted next year is very real.
Anthony Thompson is the standout, projected to go between picks five and nine in the first round. His high school accolades already have scouts buzzing, and his upcoming season at Ohio State could further solidify his status as a lottery pick.
John Mobley, who flirted with the 2026 NBA Draft before deciding to return, is another player to watch. Despite his height being a potential drawback, his sharpshooting skills are undeniable. Feedback from NBA teams has him focused on improving his on-ball defense, and experts like Jam Hines see him as a potential first-rounder next year.
Then there's Amare Bynum, a player on the verge of a breakout. At 6-foot-8 and 245 pounds, Bynum's game is rounding into form.
If he can consistently hit from beyond the arc, he could easily find himself in the first-round conversation. His late-season surge, shooting nearly 42% from three, coupled with his rebounding prowess, suggests he's ready to make a significant impact.
Justin weighs in with a dose of reality, noting the unpredictable nature of the transfer portal and NIL dynamics. While all three players have the potential to be drafted, he anticipates that not all will leave early.
Thompson appears to be the most likely one-and-done, barring any setbacks. Mobley, having already tested the draft waters, might be swayed by his role this season and the allure of breaking scoring records.
As for Bynum, his development will be crucial, but with a stacked roster, his chances might hinge on another year of growth.
In the end, Ohio State's future in the NBA Draft looks bright, with a talented crop of players ready to make their mark. Whether they choose to stay or go, the Buckeyes are poised to continue their legacy of producing top-tier basketball talent.
In Other News...
Michigan Chaos Around Bryce Underwood Is Already Turning Heads In Columbus
Bryce Underwood is already drawing plenty of attention in Ann Arbor, and not all of it is the kind Michigan hoped for when it landed the highly touted quarterback. After a spring in which his performance prompted questions about how quickly he can settle in, the conversation around him has only gotten louder, with outsiders starting to wonder whether the Wolverines truly have their long-term answer under center.
For Ohio State, the intrigue is obvious because anything that chips away at Michigan's quarterback stability only adds another layer to The Game. The chatter has now reached the point where some are openly talking about the Buckeyes being the team that could end Underwood's run in Ann Arbor, which is the sort of late-fall subplot that tends to follow a quarterback until the pressure finally catches up. [Read more 🡒]
Jeff Okudah Had A Surprising Take On Jeremiah Smith's Rise
Jeff Okudahs perspective on Jeremiah Smith carries a little extra weight, given what he was at Ohio State and what he became after leaving. The former Buckeye cornerback and No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft recently weighed in on whether he could handle Smith in coverage, and the answer was not the sort of automatic shutdown claim fans might expect. Instead, it came off as a sign of respect for just how quickly Smith has turned into a receiver people around the program have to measure against.
Okudah also had encouraging thoughts about the current Ohio State secondary, which should matter to a team that is always trying to reload on defense without missing a beat. He pointed to Devin Sanchez and Jermaine Mathews as two young corners with the kind of upside that could make the back end of the defense a strength again this season, a reminder that the Buckeyes are still building around elite talent on both sides of the ball even as the conversation keeps circling back to Smith. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State's Recruiting Surge May Not Be Slowing Down Yet
Ohio States 2027 recruiting momentum picked up again over the weekend with commitments from two more prospects, giving the Buckeyes another burst of early class-building energy. Four-star offensive lineman Caden Moss, a highly regarded Missouri native, picked Ohio State after a stretch of visits and recruitment that included Ole Miss, while three-star wide receiver Jordan Donahoo of Florida added another pass-catching piece to a class that is starting to take shape on both lines and at the skill spots.
Donahoos pledge came after a late Ohio State offer and a strong push from new receivers coach Cortez Hankton, a sign the Buckeyes are still making noise even as the cycle remains young. The bigger question now is whether the weekends gains are just the start of a bigger run, with another major target lined up to make his decision soon and Ohio State positioned to stay in the mix at the front of the line. [Read more 🡒]