Ohio State guard Duane Washington will stay in the 2021 NBA draft and will not be returning to Columbus. Stadium’s Jeff Goodman was the first to break the news.
Though Washington was often a source of frustration for many Buckeye fans because of his decision-making at times, there’s no denying his ability to get hot and put OSU on his back. He ended last season as Ohio State’s leading scorer with 16.4 points a game and had one whale of a postseason.
The loss leaves a scoring and ball-handling void. There is help on the way with incoming super-freshman Malaki Branham and Penn State transfer Jabari Wheeler, but it remains to be seen if the scoring punch Washington brings will make the Buckeyes a more challenged offensive club or not.
Both Washington and E.J. Liddell both decided to go through the NBA draft process at the end of last season, with both accepting invites to participate in the G League Elite Camp in Chicago. Washington more than held his own in that environment and there’s no doubt that played a role in his final decision.
BREAKING: Ohio State guard Duane Washington Jr. Will not be returning to school and will keep his name in for the NBA Draft, he told @Stadium. Buckeyes go from Top 10 to Top 25 team — depending if EJ Liddell returns.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 29, 2021
There has been no official word from Ohio State or Washington yet, but when it does become available, we’ll have it for you.
Now, we await word on Liddell. He has until July 7 to either remain in the draft or decide to come back to Ohio State for his junior season.
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