The roster of the Ohio State basketball team is now officially complete — at least barring any more unforeseen departures. That’s because head coach Chris Holtmann announced the additions of transfers Jimmy Sotos and Abel Porter Saturday afternoon.
Porter recently played for Utah State and will have one year of eligibility beginning in 2020-21. Sotos elected to transfer following his junior season at Bucknell and will have to sit out next year before he has one year of eligibility beginning in 2021-22.
Holtmann appeared to be excited about both additions.
“We look forward to adding Abel and Jimmy to our program,” Holtmann said in a release from the university. “Abel has played an important role on a very good Utah State team. He has a toughness and unselfishness to his game which will be valuable to our team next year as a fifth-year senior. His ball handling, versatility and shooting will be important for depth at our guard positions.
“Jimmy has good size, shooting ability and is a terrific passer,” Holtmann continued. “He will sit out the upcoming season and provide experience in the 2021-22 season at the guard position. I know he is excited about using the year off to learn our program and grow as a player. Jimmy and Abel both have come from winning, well-coached programs and we are excited about their additions to our program.”
Andy Katz has Ohio State way down his early power 36 college basketball rankings for next season https://t.co/K8YqcjqOIP
— Buckeyes Wire (@BuckeyesWire) April 16, 2020
Porter will provide some immediate need and depth at the guard position, likely often spelling C.J. Walker next season. He could take on a role very similar to that of Andrew Dakich when he transferred from Michigan in Holtmann’s first season in Columbus.
And while Sotos will have to sit out a year, it’ll give him a chance to improve, assimilate into the program and be ready to contribute the following season.