Ohio State Basketball Faces Roster Shifts as Portal Season Is In Full Swing
The offseason has officially arrived for Jake Diebler and the Ohio State basketball program, with the roster undergoing some significant and much needed changes. While the Buckeyes have already been linked to several potential transfer portal additions and already added one new piece in Gabe Cupps, the departure of a few key players has opened up valuable roster spots for the upcoming season. The newest addition to the list of departures is Aaron Bradshaw who joins Meechie Johnson, Jr., Austin Parks and Evan Mahaffey searching for new destinations, each leaving after varying levels of impact at Ohio State.
Bradshaw, a former McDonald’s All-American and 5-star recruit, arrived at Ohio State with high expectations after spending his freshman year at Kentucky. However, his time in Columbus was far from smooth. A season filled with inconsistent play, injury issues, and a University-imposed suspension hindered Bradshaw’s ability to live up to the lofty expectations placed on him. Despite showing glimpses of his potential when on the court, Bradshaw’s overall contributions were underwhelming. He played in 22 of the Buckeyes’ 32 games, averaging 6 points and just under 3 rebounds per game. After just one season in Columbus, Bradshaw has opted to transfer, seeking a fresh start at another program.
Meanwhile, Austin Parks, a former top-10 center recruit, struggled to find his footing at Ohio State. Injuries and a crowded depth chart limited his playing time, resulting in just 15 appearances for the Buckeyes, where he averaged 1.3 points and less than a rebound per game. Parks, a former four-star prospect from St. Mary’s High School in Ohio, came to Ohio State with high hopes but never managed to carve out a significant role. With two years of eligibility remaining, he will now look for a program where he can receive more playing time and a chance to further develop his game.
Evan Mahaffey, who transferred to Ohio State from Penn State, has also decided to seek a new opportunity. Mahaffey played an important role in his first season with the Buckeyes, starting 35 games as one of the team’s top defenders. However, his role diminished in his second season, with his minutes and production both declining significantly. In his final two games as a Buckeye, Mahaffey played just 18 minutes and went scoreless in both contests. With his role shrinking, Mahaffey has opted to join his brother at Akron for his final season of eligibility.
Meechie Johnson, who only played in 10 games before leaving the team for personal reasons, came back to Columbus after spending his redshirt sophomore and junior seasons at South Carolina where he was named to the All SEC 2nd team a year ago. He will need to apply for a mental hardship 6th year to be eligible and if that year is granted, he will spend his final season of college basketball back at South Carolina.
As it stands, Ohio State now has three open roster spots for the 2025 season, assuming that Kalen Etzler, who has graduated, does not return. With these openings, the Buckeyes are targeting several key positions to enhance their lineup. The primary areas of focus include adding depth at guard, which they have addressed with Cupps, securing a shot-making wing, a 3-level scoring forward, and an impact center.
The transfer portal season is still young, but Ohio State has already been linked to several promising players who could help fill these roles. If the Buckeyes are successful in landing these targets, they could see significant improvement across the board. With the goal of breaking their three-year NCAA tournament drought and contending for a top spot in the highly competitive Big Ten Conference, these roster moves will be crucial for the program’s future success.
As the offseason continues, the Buckeyes are looking to turn the page and make a serious push toward returning to NCAA Tournament contention while building a roster capable of competing at the highest level. The next few weeks will be pivotal as Ohio State looks to capitalize on its open roster spots and secure the pieces necessary for a much-needed rebound in 2025.
-Jason Harris