Buckeyes lose three players in transfer exodus
It has been a rough start to the offseason for the Buckeyes with three players being granted their releases from the Ohio State program.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State men's basketball mass exodus continues as A.J. Harris adds his name to the list of players transferring out of the basketball program. That list also includes Daniel Giddens and Mickey Mitchell. Fellow freshman Austin Grandstaff transferred earlier in the season after playing in a handful of games.
2015-16 was a tumultuous season for the Buckeyes on the court and now has been a rocky one off of it shortly after the Buckeyes were bounced in the second round of the NIT with a loss to the Florida Gators without the services of two starters, Jae'Sean Tate (injury) and Keita Bates-Diop (illness).
"I have given freshman guard A.J. Harris permission to seek a transfer," Thad Matta, head coach of Buckeyes, said via a press release. "Mickey Mitchell and Daniel Giddens have asked for their release as well. We appreciate what A.J., Daniel and Mickey did for our program as freshmen and we wish them well."
JaQuan Lyle will be the only member of the class of 2015 to return next season and he has been vocal on social media about his intent to return to Columbus.
The Buckeyes were in a rare position where they were not slated to lose any players with zero seniors on the team and no player set to head off to the NBA. Center Trevor Thompson has submitted his name for NBA evaluation but it is highly unlikely that Thompson will make the leap after this season and should return to Columbus for the 2016-17 season.
Now the Buckeyes have a void left by several players who provided depth. Ohio State will return its six top scorers next season but beyond that will only have one scholarship player returning with David Bell.
Ohio State has two signees for the class of 2016 already in the fold with Derek Funderburk and Micah Potter and will be looking to fill in the void with a couple of other positions that could include guard Markell Johnson (provided he reclassifies to the class of 2016), wing Andre Wesson or even potentially down the graduate transfer route with a player like New Mexico guard Cullen Neal.
The Buckeyes will have seven returning scholarship players in 2016-17 with the addition of the two known signees. It could be a wild ride until the late signing period starts for the class of 2016 on April 13th and runs until May 18th.