Jake Diebler’s second full offseason as Ohio State’s head coach has been an active one, as the Buckeyes have been tasked with replacing about half of their roster.
Here’s a look at where things currently stand after Ohio State’s recent additions and departures via the transfer portal.
Ohio State 2026 Transfer Portal Tracker
Transfer Portal Additions
- Jimmie Williams (Duquesne)
- Justin Pippen (Cal)
- Andrija Jelavić (Kentucky)
Williams is an Ohio native who returns home after a breakout season in which he was a third-team All-Atlantic 10 performer in 2025-26. He averaged 15.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game with Duquesne in 2025-26.
Pippen is a former Cal and Michigan guard, who transferred to Ohio State earlier this month. The son of NBA legend Scottie Pippen enjoyed a breakout sophomore season at Cal, averaging 14.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game.
Ohio State also added Jelavić from the portal earlier this month. As a freshman, the former Kentucky forward appeared in 32 games with 20 starts for the Wildcats, averaging 5.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in 16 minutes per game.
Transfer Portal Departures
- Taison Chatman (Utah)
- Devin Royal (Villanova)
- Gabe Cupps (Illinois Chicago)
- Colin White
- Mathieu Grujicic
Chatman was the highest-rated prospect in the Buckeyes’ 2023 class. He dealt with injuries throughout his Buckeyes’ career but showed flashes of elite shooting, and he signed with Utah after hitting the portal.
Royal transferred to Villanova for his final year of college basketball. He decided to transfer after three years at Ohio State after starting both of the past two seasons for the Buckeyes.
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Cupps committed to the University of Illinois Chicago for his redshirt junior season. He spent his first two seasons at Indiana, then transferred to his home state, Ohio State, ahead of the 2025-26 season before hitting the transfer portal for the second time in his career.
White opted to enter the transfer portal after spending two seasons with the Buckeyes. The former Mr. Ohio Basketball is seeking a program where he can earn more playing time. Grujicic is still looking for a new home in the portal as well after appearing in just six games and averaging 5.3 minutes.
Other Departures
- Puff Johnson (exhausted eligibility)
Once the 2025-26 college basketball season concluded, Puff Johnson’s eligibility was exhausted.
He spent three seasons at North Carolina and two seasons at Penn State before his final year at Ohio State this past season.
Returning Ohio State Players
- Amare Bynum
Bynum announced last month that he is returning for his sophomore season.
It is a major win for the Ohio State frontcourt as the Buckeyes will get a reliable returning contributor who averaged 9.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 0.8 blocks per game on 50.6% shooting from the field.
NBA Draft Decisions to Watch
- John Mobley Jr.
- Bruce Thornton
Mobley announced his intention to declare for the 2026 NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility. While he’s testing the NBA Draft waters to receive feedback, reports indicate he is likely to return to Ohio State for his junior season.
Thornton is expected to declare for the 2026 NBA Draft, and many analysts project him as a mid-to-late second-round pick. Though his situation is being monitored, the Buckeyes are actively recruiting portal guards to prepare for all scenarios.
Ohio State’s Incoming Players
- Anthony Thompson
- Alex Smith
Thompson is a five-star talent who is the crown jewel of Ohio State’s 2026 recruiting class. He is the No. 1 recruit in Ohio and No. 9 prospect in the nation, according to Rivals.
Smith committed early in the process and has remained a firm pillar of Diebler’s first full recruiting cycles. He is the No. 13 recruit in Ohio and No. 23 prospect in the 2026 class, according to Rivals.
