Ohio State basketball handed significant news for the future of their roster regarding a player with star potential
The Buckeyes were delivered some big news to start the week that Jake Diebler and the coaching staff have to be thrilled about.
With Ohio State basketball’s season over and the transfer portal around the corner, the Buckeyes are going to have a busy month ahead. The moves started on Sunday when junior F Devin Royal announced his intentions that he would be entering the portal when it opens following the national championship game.
Royal’s move wasn’t unexpected, it makes sense with how Ohio State’s roster is looking for next season. Now, Ohio State and Jake Diebler’s staff have significant news two days in a row.
Ohio State picks up a major win for the 2026-2027 roster with the Amare Bynum news
Roster retention is a key part of teams being successful in college sports. Returning players every season have decisions to make on whether or not to hit the transfer portal, and the Buckeyes just picked up a big win with F Amare Bynum announcing he will return to Columbus for his sophomore season.
Bynum averaged 9.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game while shooting .506 percent from the field in 34 games with 24 starts. Early in the season when the Buckeyes lost F Brandin Noel to injury, Bynum stepped in and looked the part for the Buckeyes.
The athletic 6-foot-8 forward returning for next season gives the Buckeyes good news on one of the two players they badly need to get back for next year, with the other one being G John Mobley Jr. Returning both players is crucial after the graduation of Bruce Thornton.
Bynum scored double figures for the Buckeyes in five of the team’s final six games including 18 points in the final regular season game against Indiana. The high-flying forward from Missouri was a key addition in the class of 2025 for the Buckeyes, and now they’ll get to keep him as a key part of the roster next season when he should be one of their best players.
Ohio State has McDonald’s All-American F Anthony Thompson coming in the class of 2026, and he’s figured to be one of Ohio State’s starters next year in the front court alongside Bynum.
Ohio State’s attention in the transfer portal must be to bring in a starting caliber center and guard to round out their lineup. I’ll say it, keeping Bynum is the biggest box Diebler and his staff could check this season and it’s done.
