Ohio State junior DeShaun Thomas is headed to the NBA Draft.
A veteran NBA scout told SNY.tv he could go late first round, while DraftExpress.com has him going at No. 22 in the second round.
“He’s a big, strong left,” the scout said. “He led the Big Ten in scoring and free throw shooting. Inside or outside as well as off the bounce, he can and will score the ball.”
“My three years at Ohio State have been the best years of my life,” Thomas said. “I have grown tremendously as an individual and as a basketball player. I intend to return to finish my degree, but I believe that now is the best opportunity to pursue my dream and begin my career as a professional basketball player. I will always be a Buckeye and am blessed to be a part of the Ohio State University family.” To read more of this story, click here
This is turning out to be quite a weekend for Ohio State.
As of Sunday, they are in the final of the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament in Uncasville, Conn., where they will face Washington later today.
Thad Matta’s squad also landed a verbal pledge from Keita Bates-Diop, a 6-foot-7 junior forward from University High (Ill.) and the Illinois Wolves AAU outfit.
“Official committed to THE Ohio st university!!,” he Tweeted.
An athletic wing, Bates-Diop reportedly also considered llinois, Purdue, Michigan and Michigan State.
The commitment was previously reported by Scout.com.
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Baltimore Mount St. Joseph shooting guard Kameron Williams has committed to Ohio State.
“Yes, Kam will attend Ohio State,” Baltimore Mount St. Joseph coach Pat Clatchey told SNY.tv Tuesday evening.
Clatchey said the Buckeyes are getting a good citizen and player who can score.
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NEW YORK — Three schools are almost certain to make Jordan Mickey’s final list of five or six schools, his father told SNY.tv Saturday night.
“Ohio State definitely is in; Louisville and SMU are definitely making the cut,” James Wright Mickey said at the Big Strick Classic before his son went for 13 rebounds, 5 points, 4 blocks and 2 assists as the USA team beat the NYC team, 87-86, at the City College of New York.
Khadeem Lattin (13 points, 8 rebounds) and Robert Hubbs (14 points) were named Co-MVPs for the USA team. To read more of this story, click here
Amedeo Della Valle is headed to Ohio State.
The 6-foot-5, 183-pound combo guard from Findlay Prep chose the Buckeyes Saturday over Arizona and Texas A&M.
“Probably the level of competition and the kind of guys they have,” the 19-year-old Italian guard said of why he chose Ohio State. “They are great guys and they have great coaches. Coach [Thad] Matta is a great coach.
“Those are the things that made me decide.” To read more of this story, click here
Ohio State forward Jared Sullinger is headed to the NBA.
After guiding the Buckeyes to the Final Four, the sophomore opted to end his college career and declare for the draft.
Sullinger is the No. 6 prospect among the Top 100 on DraftExpress.com.
“Going to the Final Four with a team that many people said we weren’t good enough, weren’t strong enough, weren’t mentally tough enough, and still being able to get to the Final Four with all the ups and downs we had, I think that was tremendous for this basketball team,” Sullinger said, flanked by his parents and coach Thad Matta in Columbus, Ohio, according to the AP. To read more of this story, click here
Ohio State coach Thad Matta said Jared Sullinger will play when No. 2 Ohio State hosts Lamar on Tuesday night.
Sullinger left Saturday’s win at South Carolina in the first half and had to be taken to a hospital for tests after hurting his left foot. He reappeared later on the bench with crutches. He tweeted after the game that he would practice the next day, but he didn’t.
Sullinger also missed two recent games with back spasms, but Matta says he will play.
“I’m expecting him to play, just from what he’s saying, how much better it felt yesterday than it did on Saturday and how much better it feels today than it did on Sunday,” said Matta, who picked up his 200th Ohio State win in Saturday’s game.
(The AP contributed)
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Ohio State star Jared Sullinger remains sidelined with back spasms and it is unclear when he will return.
“It’s the progression we’re trying to take in terms of step by step,” Ohio State coach Thad Matta told reporters. “As opposed to running the full marathon, we’re going to warm up with a 5K and then get to a 10K.”
Sullinger missed No.2 Ohio State’s loss Saturday at No. 13 Kansas, and he has yet to be cleared for Wednesday’s game against South Carolina-Upstate.
The Buckeyes next play at South Carolina Saturday. To read more of this story, click here
Ohio State freshman LaQuinton Ross has been cleared to play for the Buckeyes.
“Laquinton Ross @qross2011 is officially a Buckeye!!!!,” assistant coach Jeff Boals tweeted.
The 6-foot-8 Ross did well on his recent SAT and his former high school coach, Wilson Arroyo of Burlington Life Center, confirmed the good news Thursday.
Arroyo said he believes Ross will becomes eligible Dec. 10 after the semester ends.
Ohio State visits Kansas Dec. 10.
“Just got the news that he has been cleared to play and join his teammates,” Arroyo said by text.
In September, Ross was declared ineligible while the NCAA looked into his grades from his ninth and 10th grade years at Jackson (Miss.) Murrah High School, Arroyo said. Since then, he has been at home working out and taking courses online.
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Ohio State signee LaQuinton Ross did well on his recent SAT and could be cleared to play “within the next 2-3 weeks,” Wilson Arroyo, his former high school coach at Burlington (N.J.) Life Center, told SNY.tv.
“According to NCAA rules, we are working within the guidelines to get him reinstated within the next 2-3 weeks,” Arroyo said.
Arroyo said nothing was official yet, but that the 6-foot-8 Ross “got the results from his SAT test from November and did real well.”
“Just gave the good news to the staff,” Ross tweeted in reference to his SAT result. To read more of this story, click here
