Tag: Chris Holtmann

Cincinnati 2024 power forward includes Ohio State basketball in top seven schools

He could be returning home to play in college #GoBucks

[autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] head coach [autotag]Chris Holtmann[/autotag] has been doing extremely well on the recruiting trail over the last two cycles.

In 2022, the five-man class saw four of them play immediately and make big impacts. Brice Sensabaugh, [autotag]Felix Okpara[/autotag], Bruce Thornton and [autotag]Roddy Gayle Jr.[/autotag] all played big roles for the Buckeyes, even though they were unable to make the NCAA Tournament.

The 2023 class is just as impressive, the three of the four commits, Scotty Middleton, Devin Royal, and Taison Chatman, were ranked inside the top 50 players in the country.

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As for 2024, Holtmann is off to a good start, with four-star point guard Juni Mobley as the lone current verbal. Another target, Cincinnati native [autotag]Tyler McKinley[/autotag] could stay home also. The power forward named Ohio State among his top seven schools he’s still considering.

McKinley stands 6-foot, 9-inches, and weighs 220 pounds. He is rated as the No. 10 center and 60th overall player according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. He can play either position at the next level, hence McKinley’s ranking as a center.

McKinley currently plays for Link Academy in Missouri, but could ultimately end up playing closer to home.

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Ohio State basketball offers another Ohioan, this time a 2025 power forward

The instate hoops focus continues for Holtmann #GoBucks

[autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] head coach [autotag]Chris Holtmann[/autotag] is trying to have the Buckeye future recruiting classes possess a big-time local flavor.

Recently the focus was on the 2026 class with instate offers to T.J. Crumble and Marcus Johnson. There’s another Buckeye caliber player in the state and that’s 2025 power forward [autotag]Nikola Bundalo[/autotag].

The Uniontown forward was offered by Ohio State recently as multiple other schools did the same. It was quite the day for the 6-foot, 9-inch Bundalo. The athletic big-man performed very well at multiple recent showcases that obviously has caught the attention of college coaches, Holtmann included.

Bundalo isn’t rated by any of the major services, but that should change when there is an update. A player with his size and ability who holds multiple Power Five scholarship offers is bound to be ranked.

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Ohio State basketball offers instate 2026 small forward

The Buckeyes are looking at keeping the best instate in 2026 #GoBucks

Over the last two recruiting classes, [autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] basketball has signed 3 out of 9 players from their home state. If the offers going out to 2026 prospects are any indication, it seems like head coach [autotag]Chris Holtmann[/autotag] is trying to create a fence around the states top prospects.

Recently point guard Marcus Johnson was offered a scholarship and now another Ohioan from his class has been, small forward [autotag]T.J. Crumble[/autotag].

At 6-foot, 8-inches, and 195 pounds, Crumble brings an element of size that the Buckeye roster would love to have. Although he isn’t ranked at the moment, not many 2026 prospects are, he is still viewed as one of the best players in the country.

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These two offers are very big, especially considering how far out Crumble and Johnson are. The two know each other as well, as they are shown here working out together. Smart move by Holtmann offering both of them.

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Ohio State basketball offers instate 2026 rising star point guard

The Buckeyes are quick to offer the freshman star #GoBucks

It will be more than a few years until Garfield Heights, Ohio’s, [autotag]Marcus Johnson,[/autotag] will be able to sign with a collegiate team, but that didn’t stop [autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] from offering the talented point guard.

Head coach, [autotag]Chris Holtmann,[/autotag] didn’t need much high school tape to be impressed by Johnson’s game. This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise because his father Sonny, was named Ohio’s Mr. Basketball in 1998 and went on to play at Cleveland State.

Marcus is widely regarded as one of the best players in the country, ranking as the 16th overall play in the 2026 class via ESPN’s top 25 of that class.

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With Ohio State getting an offer out so early in Johnson’s recruitment, you have to think that he’s an extremely high-priority recruit for Holtmann.

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Ohio State basketball offers 4-star 2024 Arkansas wing

The Buckeyes offer the combo wing #GoBucks

The [autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] 2023 recruiting class might not be done, but head coach [autotag]Chris Holtmann[/autotag] is already looking ahead to the 2024 cycle.

The Buckeyes have their point guard, Nevada’s Juni Mobley who is rated as the No. 7 best at his position and 42nd overall.

It’s a great start, but Holtmann is looking for players that will compliment his floor general and it looks like he has found one in Arkansas’ [autotag]Annor Boateng[/autotag]. The 6-foot, 5-inch, 205-pound forward is the top player in the state, No. 7 small forward, and 25th overall.

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Boateng has some versatility in his game, he can slide down and play guard as well. In Holtmann’s system, he would be a great addition.

(Note: The player rankings are through the 247Sports composite rankings.)

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Chris Holtmann may have just revealed Bronny James commitment timeline

What do you think Buckeye Nation… Is Bronny James coming to Ohio State? #GoBucks

It’s getting late in the recruiting season for the 2023 basketball kids. Almost all have made their commitments and signed their national letters of intent. However, one of the biggest names left on the board is still weighing his options, and Ohio State still has a seat at the table.

Bronny James and the James family have kept Bronny’s recruitment close to the vest. OSU has always been in the conversation, but James has been rumored to be leaning toward several schools. The leader at one point was Oregon. Then the Buckeyes were thought to have the overwhelming lead. Now it seems USC is the front-runner to land the son of LeBron.

We may find out in the next couple of weeks where the younger James will take his talents. Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann may have let the cat out of the bag at The Foundation Spring Festival earlier this week. Adam Jardy of the Columbus Dispatch quoted Holtmann as saying they were putting the “finishing touches on our recruiting in the next week or two. We may add one more player.”

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It has been made known that Bronny is down to USC and Ohio State. Unless Holtmann is planning to dip into the transfer portal again this year, could it be James is planning to commit to the Buckeyes?

James is listed as the No. 8 combo guard and No. 34 overall player in the country according to the 247Sports composite. Ohio State has the No. 9 recruiting class for 2022. Adding Bronny would move the Buckeyes up in the rankings, adding to what is an already strong class.

It is worth noting 247Sports has crystal balls for James going to USC but there may be more to the story. We’ll see if coach Holtmann knows something we don’t soon enough.

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Ohio native transfers back home to Ohio State basketball team

Welcome back home Dale! #GoBucks

There was one scholarship available for [autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] basketball to fill (pending the NBA decision from Brice Sensabaugh) and head coach [autotag]Chris Holtmann[/autotag] has filled it.

Baylor transfer guard [autotag]Dale Bonner[/autotag], a native of Shaker Heights, Ohio, announced Monday that he is returning to his home state to finish his career with the Buckeyes.

Bonner was a solid contributor over the last two years for the Bears, but nothing spectacular. He averaged 4.7 points per game with 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals last season.

This development puts an interesting note on the Buckeyes’ pursuit of [autotag]Bronny James[/autotag] — if there is even mutual interest — as they now may not have an open scholarship to give him.

This is the second transfer commit Ohio State has received after Minnesota forward Jamison Battle committed to the Buckeyes earlier this month.

We’re not getting a better picture of what the makeup of Ohio State basketball’s roster will be next season. Now the waiting game on Sensabuagh seems to be the last piece of the puzzle.

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Report: Ohio State basketball adds Minnesota transfer forward

A huge pickup for the BasketBucks #GoBucks

The rumors about Jamison Battle and [autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] were true. The former Minnesota Golden Gopher forward has committed to [autotag]Chris Holtmann[/autotag] and the Buckeyes according to multiple reports.

Battle is exactly what the Ohio State basketball team needs. He offers size and shooting. The 6-foot, 7-inch, 225-pound wing shot 35% from 3 over his career and 42% from the field. He is a solid rebounder as well, grabbing more than 5 boards per contest during his four seasons playing college basketball.

Personally, I’m a big fan of this addition, especially considering Battle knows the conference and has significant experience. He has yet to play in an NCAA Tournament game and that should change as the Buckeyes return four of five starters and multiple bench contributors from last year’s team.

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Who does Ohio State basketball turn to after Eugene Brown III’s departure?

Who should Holtmann pursue with the open scholarship? #GoBucks

With the news that Eugene Brown III will leave [autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] after entering the transfer portal, it leaves the Buckeyes with an open scholarship depending on other factors and what happens with Brice Sensabaugh’s NBA decision.

Head coach [autotag]Chris Holtmann[/autotag] can go a variety of different ways with the available scholarship. The most obvious is the transfer portal as we will look at a few names who have been linked to the Buckeyes.

There is also a big-time unsigned player who could return “home.” Let’s take a look below at a few options for Ohio State to fill its gap in the current roster.

Eugene Brown III has made decision about his future at Ohio State

Best of luck EB3

This decision should not come as a surprise — Ohio State forward [autotag]Eugene Brown III[/autotag] has decided to enter the transfer portal.

The third-year player started 10 games this past year for the Buckeyes, averaging 3.5 points per game, along with 2.4 rebounds, while shooting 44.2% from the field.

Brown III had his moments, but it was pretty easy to see the writing on the wall after head coach [autotag]Chris Holtmann[/autotag] went with a much younger lineup towards the end of the season even though his minutes increased.

At this point in his career, Brown III is most likely looking for consistent playing time in a system that caters a bit more to his playing style. Holtmann played him as an undersized big man which didn’t suit his strengths.

Brown III will leave Columbus with a degree, and experience in a high-major program and should garner plenty of interest in the portal. Thank you Eugene for your contributions over the past three seasons.

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