Ohio State’s roster puzzle for this season is finally complete, and the newest piece could give Jake Diebler exactly what he needed.
The Buckeyes have added Lee Aaliya, a 21-year-old forward from Argentina who arrives with real production and real experience. Aaliya spent time in Spain’s top league, the ACB Liga, with UCAM Murcia, where he put up 18.4 points and 9.6 rebounds per game while shooting close to 60 percent from the field. He has also played for the Argentinian National Team.
Diebler announced the addition and made clear he sees Aaliya as someone who can help right away in the frontcourt.
“Lee is an energetic big who I am excited to have join our Buckeye family. His experience, athleticism, and physicality make him a valuable addition to our program.”
At 6-foot-9, Aaliya gives Ohio State another option at power forward, and he should be in the mix to compete for that starting job. He also figures to fit alongside Anthony Thompson, the five-star freshman who is expected to start at small forward.
The Buckeyes have spent the offseason reworking the roster after last year’s first-round NCAA Tournament exit. That run was Ohio State’s first trip to the tournament in four years, but Diebler made it clear the bar is higher than simply getting back there.
He has been aggressive in reshaping the group, including getting L.J. Smith to reclassify to this season so Ohio State now has two five-star freshmen on the roster.
Now the Buckeyes have a full roster, and the mix looks a lot different than it did a year ago. Wing depth has been a sore spot during Diebler’s tenure, and Aaliya’s arrival helps ease that issue while adding more size and toughness inside.
The Big Ten outlook has shifted with it. Ohio State has enough talent to be a serious contender, and there’s already an expectation that the Buckeyes will return to the NCAA Tournament. The bigger question is whether this group can climb even higher, with a top-four finish in the conference now in play.
A difficult non-conference slate should provide an early test and help Diebler settle on his rotation before league play begins. That stretch will matter, especially with so many new faces needing time to build chemistry.
John Mobley Jr. brings back the most production from last season’s team, but the Buckeyes won’t need him to carry everything offensively. Diebler has spread the burden around, and that should matter for a roster that looks deeper than any he has had since taking over.
For Ohio State, the pieces are in place now. The rest is about turning talent into chemistry.
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