Tag: E.J. Liddell

Watch: Former Ohio State basketball star E.J. Liddell dresses early for Halloween

E.J. never wants to put that on again #GoBucks

The [autotag]New Orleans Pelicans[/autotag] held an open practice for fans on Sunday and it was much to former [autotag]Ohio State basketball[/autotag] star forward [autotag]E.J. Liddell[/autotag]’s chagrin.

The All-Big Ten performer was drafted in the second round by the Pelicans, but a knee injury stopped him from helping the team. Although he had never played a minute in the NBA, they signed him to a 3-year, $6.2 million dollar contract, showing they believed in his ability.

In what looks like tradition for New Orleans, it had multiple of its players dress up for the event on Sunday. This year it happened to be a hot dog costume. Check out the video below of Liddell not being too happy about the outfit selection for him.

Maybe a new nickname of “big dog” is boiling …

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Former Ohio State star E.J. Liddell re-signs with the New Orleans Pelicans

Liddell will continue his NBA journey with the team that drafted him #GoBucks

When forward [autotag]E.J. Liddell[/autotag] left the Ohio State basketball program early, many thought he would get picked later portion of the NBA draft’s first round.

The former All-Big Ten performer slid to the second round, where the New Orleans Pelicans picked him up with the No. 41 pick. Unfortunately, Liddell suffered a torn ACL during Summer League action, slowing down his route to the NBA.

Liddell showed enough to the Pelicans brass for them to still have faith in the former Buckeye, as they signed him to a 3-year deal worth $6.2 million. With some security, Liddell can continue getting back from his injury and not have to worry about where he will suit up next.

Hopefully, Liddell comes back stronger than ever and can show the NBA that he was slept on in the draft.

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Ohio State basketball offers 2024 small forward from New York

The Buckeye hoops teams sends an offer out to a NY small forward #GoBucks

Even though this [autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] basketball season hasn’t gone like many of us thought it would, it doesn’t mean that head coach [autotag]Chris Holtmann[/autotag] isn’t looking to the future.

Already with a commitment from 2024 Nevada point guard Juni Mobley, Holtmann is looking for a few others to complement the floor general’s play. That brings us to their latest offer, going out to New York small forward VJ Edgecombe.

At 6-foot, 5-inches, and 180-pounds, Edgecombe is a bit on the smaller side for the position but has the potential to be in a similar mold as former Buckeye star [autotag]E.J. Liddell[/autotag] in terms of playing bigger than his listed size. Edgecombe doesn’t have a very impressive offer list as he currently holds them from Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, St. John’s, and a few others.

It could very well be the case that Edgecombe is flying under the radar right now and will look to make his decision during his senior season.

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E.J. Liddell suffers torn ACL in NBA summer league

Wishing Liddell a speedy recovery! #GoBucks

Former Ohio State forward E.J. Liddell’s NBA career will have to wait.

After being selected with the No. 41 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft by the New Orleans Pelicans, Liddell was committed to proving everyone wrong and showing the world that he had the work ethic and skill set to have a long, productive career at the highest level.

The first step along that way was to take part in the NBA’s summer league to get valuable playing time before all the fun of the preseason and regular season takes place.

Liddell started the summer league off a bit slowly, but went down in a heap during the second game, leaving the game against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday.  After an MRI today, the Pelicans released a statement confirming the injury as an ACL tear, leaving him out indefinitely.

Climbing through adversity is nothing new for Liddell. He has had to work hard for everything he’s received, and this is just another setback. In today’s day and age, coming back from a torn ACL is the norm, and we have no doubt one of the nicest and most competitive guys you’ll ever meet will bounce back better than ever.

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Schedule of former Ohio State basketball players taking part in the NBA Summer League

In case you want to watch some former Buckeyes as they take part in the NBA Summer League. #GoBucks

The Ohio State basketball program has churned out a ton of young talent to the NBA over the last few years, but that seems to be slowly changing. As it does, you can begin keeping track of former Buckeye players taking part in the NBA Summer League.

This year’s crop includes former Ohio State players E.J. Liddell, Malaki Branham, Duane Washington Jr, and former Buckeye turned Wisconsin Badger, Micha Potter.

For all you NBA types, we thought we’d provide a schedule of when you can see each play in the event you are into that sort of thing, especially as you cheer on Liddell and Branham and how well they might both translate to the next level.

Here’s a look at the schedule for each player so that you can follow along.

One scout weighs in on why E.J. Liddell slid in the NBA draft

Here’s why E.J. Liddell slid in the NBA draft according to one former scout. #GoBucks

If you followed the 2022 NBA draft this year, one of the Ohio State storylines was forward E.J. Liddell’s plight. He was forecast to be a first-round draft pick by almost every measure and mock draft out there.

However, as the picks went by and players continued to hear their name and walk across the stage, Liddell’s name did not appear pick after pick until the entire first round was gone, and then some. The 6-foot, 7-inch power forward with a polished game eventually got selected with the No. 41 overall pick in the second round by the New Orleans Pelicans, and we were all left wondering why.

Well, maybe we have an answer. According to one former scout, despite the varied game and experience Liddell has, he believes there was still reason for concern in some NBA scouts and executive circles. Michael VandeGarde gave Buckeyes Wire his take on why Liddell slipped thanks to our friends at Rutgers Wire.

“(He’s)Not a proven shooter and what is his real position for the NBA? (He) Lacks explosion and first step quickness…is really a power forward or undersized center, and can he really be that in the NBA?”

Look, we get it. Liddell is kind of in-between positions, but we’ve seen guys make that work before in the NBA right? I mean, all you have to do is another former Ohio State guy, Jae’Sean Tate as a player that wasn’t drafted because nobody felt like he fit into a neat little NBA-type box but has worked his way into a very, very productive player.

With the work ethic that Liddell has shown, and the skills and abilities he already possesses as a guy that has made himself into a defensive and offensive threat, don’t be surprised if he proves folks wrong again.

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Michael VandeGarde is a former NBA scout, having spent the past 18 seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers. He is currently involved with the innovative digital platform CoachTube, a portal that offers sports coaching courses from legendary coaches in the NFL, NBA and college sports.

WATCH: Go behind the scenes with Malaki Branham and E.J. Liddell at the NBA draft

The Ohio State Hoops Twitter account shared a short, behind-the-scenes video of the 2022 NBA draft with Malaki Branham and E.J. Liddell.

For the first time since 2007, the Ohio State basketball program saw two of its players selected in the NBA draft. And even though E.J. Liddell fell down the daft board further than most anticipated, it was still a night to remember, one where both players got to see their childhood dreams come true.

We’ve already shared a video of both Branham and Liddell as they heard their name called, but the Ohio State Hoops Twitter page shared an extended version of both with some short behind-the-scenes remarks and commentary.

It’s not a long video, but one that makes you proud to be an OSU basketball fan. The video is only about a minute long, so take just a little bit to reminisce on the 2022 NBA draft night that saw two Buckeyes have their moments.

We’d like to think that this is starting a new trend for Ohio State, but for that to happen some young guns and fresh faces will probably have to develop quickly and surprise us next season.

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WATCH: The moment E.J. Liddell was selected in the NBA draft

Love these videos when players get drafted. Congrats to an all-time great OSU player and human being, E.J. Liddell. #GoBucks

One of the things I love most about the NBA and NFL draft is watching the reactions of players as they realize their lifelong dream of playing in the highest competitive environment in their sport. It’s pure emotion, and even the most stoic of personalities tend to let it all hang out and are overcome realizing that they just reached a fantasy of all fantasies from the vigor of their youth.

Ohio State forward E.J. Liddell put off staying in the NBA draft to focus on improving his game based on the feedback he received. The former Mr. Basketball in Illinois turned into a state sheet stuffer that can score from multiple spots on the floor, protect the rim, and be a guy that can go get a shot when you need.

Still, he fell down the NBA draft board on Thursday night for reasons only NBA scouts and executives will know. When his name was finally called by the New Orleans Pelicans in the second round, he was overcome with emotion as he was surrounded by family, friends, and supporters.

Watch as Liddell’s wait on Thursday night in Belleville, Illinois, is finally realized with his name being called as a legit NBA player. The video is courtesy of Adam Jardy of the Columbus Dispatch.

I for one can’t wait to see Liddell prove to all of those teams that passed him up as he works just as hard as he has to date and puts together a long and productive NBA career.

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Ohio State forward E.J. Liddell goes in the second round of the 2022 NBA draft

E.J. Liddell makes it two Buckeyes taken in the 2022 NBA draft. #GoBucks

And the second Ohio State player has been taken off the board in the 2022 NBA draft. Malaki Branham went to the San Antonio Spurs earlier in the first round, and now, forward E.J. Liddell also heard his name called when he was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans with the No. 41 overall pick in the second-round.

Two Buckeyes going in the same NBA draft has not happened since 2007 when OSU sent three in the first round (Greg Oden, Mike Conley, Daequan Cook). It’s a trend that will hopefully start to happen more often.

But back to Liddell.

The 6-foot, 7-inch junior improved each year at Ohio State. He went from acclimating himself to the game as a freshman to marked improvement his second year, to an even better junior year. Each season, nearly every single stat got better. Last season, Liddell averaged 19.4 points, 2.6 blocks, 2.5 assists, and 7.9 rebounds in 33.2 minutes of play. He led the team in points, blocks, and rebounds.

More than anything, scouts and executives at the next level can see a guy that isn’t afraid to improve his game. He’s taken feedback from going through the NBA process before and improved his outside touch, his conditioning, and his ability to guard on the perimeter. He plays much larger than his listed height and has a knack for protecting the rim.

If Liddell continues to work as hard on his game as he has at Ohio State, don’t be surprised if he makes the most of his NBA opportunity with a long, productive career.

In fact, it’s a bit surprising to see Liddell fall so much further down the draft than many anticipated. In most mock drafts, he was pegged to go late in the first round.

Go prove ’em wrong E.J.

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ESPN’s latest projection of where Malaki Branham and E.J. Liddell will go in the NBA draft

The last-ditch ESPN NBA draft, and where it has Malaki Branham and E.J. Liddell going. #GoBucks

We are now just a couple of days away from the 2022 NBA draft, and Ohio State fans should have more interest in all the festivities than in recent years past because two former Buckeyes are projected to go somewhere in the first round.

You probably know the two players by now, but just in case, there’s a better than good chance we’ll all hear Malaki Branham and E.J. Liddell’s names called somewhere among the top 30 picks.

So, on this eve of the NBA draft eve, here’s where ESPN’s Jonathan Givony has both OSU starts headed and what he says about each in preparation for all of the fun on Thursday.