Insider says Ohio State basketball is ready to make a notable NIL offer to top transfer portal player

Ohio State badly needs another guard to pair with John Mobley Jr. and it’ll come through the transfer portal. The Buckeyes are one team in the mix for the No. 1 point guard available.

Brandon Little — Ohio State Buckeyes & Cleveland Browns News Writer
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Mar 19, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Jake Diebler reacts against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs in the second half during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The transfer portal is open and busier than ever in the college basketball world. Ohio State basketball has already watched four players exit through the portal, and they have multiple needs to address on the flip side. 

After losing the program’s all-time leading scorer Bruce Thornton to graduation, getting another guard to pair with John Mobley Jr. is a major key this offseason. The latest development around the program has the Buckeyes swinging big to fill the role. 

Ohio State is willing to pay up for the No. 1 point guard in the transfer portal 

According to On3’s Pete Nakos, the Buckeyes are prepared to make a notable financial offer for former BYU PG Rob Wright. 

“The three schools On3 has heard tied to Rob Wright the most to this point have been Arkansas, Kentucky, and Ohio State. Sources have said it could ultimately shape into a fight between the Razorbacks and Wildcats, but Ohio State is not shying away and is prepared to make a notable financial offer.”

Pete nakos

On3

Wright is the No. 1-ranked point guard and No. 4 overall player, according to 247 Sports. The 6-foot-1 point guard has two years of eligibility remaining and is coming off a season where he averaged 18.1 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game in 35 starts. Wright shot 41 percent from three-point land and 82 percent at the free throw line. 

Kentucky and Arkansas are the big college basketball powers in on Wright, but Ohio State being in the mix and being willing to make a strong offer is key here. We’re in an era where NIL money is the biggest factor in recruiting. If Ohio State wants to build a competing roster, it’ll have to allocate more NIL towards the basketball program than it has in the past. 

Wright is a future NBA talent who would come in and start for the Buckeyes to alleviate the loss of Thornton. If the Buckeyes can pull off this major recruiting win, it could show a shift in the program is on the way. 

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