Ohio State basketball hit with tough news in transfer portal chase of an SEC guard from LSU
The Buckeyes need to add at least one more guard from the transfer portal, and had a visit scheduled with a former SEC player. Latest development isn’t good for the Buckeyes and their final need from the portal.
The Ohio State Buckeyes have had three additions through the transfer portal so far following the 2025-2026 season where they were able to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time in the Jake Diebler era.
Ohio State still needs to add another bench option alongside former Duquesne guard Jimmie Williams. The Buckeyes were set to visit with a former LSU Tigers guard, but the visit isn’t going to happen.
Ohio State misses on top remaining transfer portal target
The plan was for the Buckeyes to welcome in former four-star recruit Jalen Reece for a visit out of the transfer portal coming off a solid season at LSU. Ohio State won’t be getting that visit because Reece has announced his commitment to Texas A&M.
Tough news for the Buckeyes due to not being able to get Reece on campus before he committed to A&M.
Reece averaged 5.8 points and 3.6 assists per game last season for LSU in 32 games. The former Tiger put up 12 points and 6.8 assists per game in the last eight SEC games of the season for LSU. A player who would have been a strong option to give point guard minutes off the bench as a 6-foot sophomore.
An intriguing idea of adding Reece is that he potentially could have battled with transfer commitment Justin Pippen for the starting guard spot alongside John Mobley Jr. Whoever wasn’t starting still would have played a key sixth man role for the Buckeyes.
Ohio State still needs to add one more guard to fill out its rotation for next season, and it’ll be interesting to see where they go from here.
