After about 45 minutes, the five-star freshman ceded the bottom to his coach.
It was Sept. 30, and the e males’s basketball workforce was wrapping up media day to preview the 2026-27 season. Scattered across the follow fitness center contained in the Schottenstein Middle have been seven tables, every that includes two Buckeyes, leaving one member of the 15-man roster to fend for himself.
That honor went to n, the highest-rated freshman to signal with this system since Jared Sulliner in 2010 and a projected 2027 NBA lottery choose. Nestled within the nook of the fitness center, Thompson held down a solitary desk earlier than making method for coach Jake Diebler. Now getting ready for his third 12 months main the Buckeyes, Diebler spent about 25 minutes discussing his workforce’s depth, hopes for the season, the early portion of follow and extra.
“This time final 12 months was completely different,” Diebler stated. “There’s guys competing for alternatives and minutes and all that. That wasn’t the case at this level final 12 months. Final 12 months some issues have been extra clearly outlined. The largest problem is to proceed to push one another and iron some issues out within the meantime.”
Given all that, plus the previous 45 minutes of participant interviews, there’s loads to unpack. Listed here are 5 fast issues we discovered at media day:
Buckeyes have depth, however a few of it’s unproven
Ohio State entered the 2025 preseason with e, confirmed commodities anchoring its offensive hopes: Bruce Thornton (senior), Devin Royal (junior) and John Mobley Jr. (sophomore). These three prolific scorers have been the focal factors of the offensive plans, and every had already confirmed his talents to constantly rating on the high-major stage.
Mobley is again this season. So is Amare Bynum, coming into his sophomore season after rising as a go-to choice within the closing video games of the 2025-26 season. Round these two returnees, Diebler has assembled a roster stuffed with gamers all anticipated to problem for taking part in time. There’s a palpable perception that the Buckeyes are deeper this season after including California switch n, Kentucky switch c, five-star freshmen h and Thompson and a bunch of different gamers.
Whereas it appears like Ohio State has extra choices on its depth chart, Diebler identified that they’re nonetheless studying about a lot of their new gamers.
“I believe the most important query for us is we’ve received some guys we’re anticipating to make a leap and so they’ve received to exit and do it,” he stated. “While you have a look at guys who’ve confirmed stuff at this stage, we possibly don’t have 5 – 6 guys who’ve however we’re assured now we have loads of guys who will step up and try this.”
Ohio State stays wholesome
Not having accidents is usually a non-story, however after the Buckeyes noticed their frontcourt thinned with prolonged or lingering accidents final season, it’s value nothing that this 12 months’s workforce continues to follow with a clear availability report. All 15 members of the workforce can be found and practising, as has principally been the case for all the summer time.
That features Josh Ojianwuna, who was the one participant restricted throughout the summer time whereas recovering from a knee harm that led to a medical redshirt season.
“I wished to assist this workforce final 12 months however sadly my knee wasn’t prepared but,” Ojianwuna stated. “I believe now I’m prepared and able to give it my all.”
Rehired power coach Dave Richardson received loads of reward
With out particularly being talked about in questions, Ohio State’s new power and conditioning coach was constantly talked about by gamers when requested about their summer time, their private progress or why they are going to be a greater workforce this season.
Richardson, who was at Ohio State from 2005-18, returned to r after spending the previous eight seasons at Arkansas. Diebler has repeatedly praised Richardson's influence on this 12 months’s roster, and several other gamers introduced him up unprompted throughout interviews.
“The conditioning half was a wrestle at first as a result of not taking part in for nearly two years, I’m coming again in, you’re in all probability going to be drained fairly fast, however I additionally need to thank coach Wealthy,” Ojianwuna stated, “as a result of I used to be coming in doing conditioning, getting on the bike, further stuff. That helped me to be within the higher form that I’m.”
He wasn’t the one one to quote Richardson, and it left with an general impression of a workforce that believes it can play with extra physicality this season.
Plans for extra tempo are progressing
Cease if you happen to’ve heard this one earlier than, however Ohio State believes it’s geared up to truly play e this season – and that’s not simply on the offensive finish. The Buckeyes have been engaged on full-court stress with the 6-foot-4, 190-pound Pippen spearheading a few of these efforts together with his defensive depth.
“You have a look at our guards, you may maintain placing completely different guys on the ball,” Diebler stated. “Justin is actually gifted at it. Curtis Givens can do it. LJ (Smith) is quick and athletic. (Mobley) has actually improved in that space. I believe we’ve received the numbers to do it.”
Groups wore Ohio State down final season by pressuring the Buckeyes full-court. This 12 months, they need to flip the tables.
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Anthony Thompson’s taking pictures is getting observed
At 6-9, the freshman ahead has turned heads together with his potential to shoot at an environment friendly clip whereas additionally releasing his shot from a near-unguardable peak. Requested if anybody has blocked his shot but in follow, Thompson hesitated earlier than saying that he thinks Amare Bynum (6-8, 245) might need gotten him as soon as.
He wasn’t positive, although, and it’s clear that the freshman is making a reputation for himself together with his scoring potential.
“Anthony’s actually an impressive expertise,” Jelavic stated. “His size, his measurement, his taking pictures potential, his potential to shoot over a man the place all that’s left is to see if he makes or misses it and nothing else.”
Ohio State males's basketball beat author Adam Jardy will be reached at m, on Bluesky at @l, on Instagram at @ or on Twitter at @y.
This text initially appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: y