It was no secret that Ohio State’s post offense struggled during the 2024-2025 season, with the Buckeyes ranking near the bottom nationally in that department. With Sean Stewart often playing out of position at center, it became clear that a stronger presence in the middle was necessary. This offseason, Coach Jake Diebler and his staff prioritized finding an athletic center capable of impacting both ends of the floor. Today, the Buckeyes addressed that issue with the announcement that Christoph Tilly, a highly regarded 7-foot, 240-pound center from Santa Clara, will spend his final year of college basketball at Ohio State.
Tilly’s addition is a significant boost for the Buckeyes. Coming off a strong season in the West Coast Conference (WCC), he was named to the second-team All-WCC after starting all 31 games for Santa Clara. In those games, Tilly averaged 12.5 points and 5 rebounds while shooting an impressive 55.4% from the field. Hailing from Berlin, Germany, Tilly first played in the German Pro B North league for two years before making the move to the United States. He committed to Santa Clara, and after spending his freshman year coming off the bench, he became a starter for the Broncos in his sophomore and junior years.
Tilly’s skill set makes him a dynamic addition to Ohio State’s frontcourt. Not only is he a strong inside scorer, but he also possesses the ability to put the ball on the floor and create plays off the dribble. His range extends beyond the paint, as he connected on 31.5% of his 54 attempts from beyond the arc this past season. This combination of inside and outside scoring gives Ohio State much-needed versatility in the post.
For the Buckeyes, Tilly is expected to start at the center position, bringing size and mobility to a frontcourt that was lacking both last season. His ability to stretch the floor will open up space for Ohio State’s guards, while his mobility will help the team run at the pace that Coach Diebler is aiming for in the upcoming season. Tilly’s addition adds a new dimension to the Buckeyes’ offense, complementing the team’s desire to play a faster, more dynamic style of basketball.
With the addition of Tilly and the earlier commitment of Gabe Cupps, Ohio State now has two remaining scholarships. The coaching staff will continue to focus on adding post depth as well as a versatile wing scorer who can contribute at all three levels and start at the small forward position. However, with these key additions already in place, Ohio State is well-positioned to improve upon its disappointing 2024-2025 season and end its three-year NCAA Tournament drought.
As the offseason progresses, the Buckeyes are optimistic about their chances to return to the NCAA Tournament and compete at a high level in the Big Ten Conference.
-Jason Harris
Photo Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images