Ohio State has added another important piece to its roster rebuild, landing a commitment from Memphis transfer guard Curtis Givens III. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound guard joins head coach Jake Diebler and the Buckeyes with two years of eligibility remaining.
A three-star transfer, Givens spent two seasons at Memphis, where he averaged 9.4 points, 2.3 assists, and 2.1 rebounds across 25 games with 15 starts. He brings a smooth, controlled style of play centered on pace, feel, and shot creation. Most effective with the ball in his hands, Givens can break down defenders off the dribble, get into the paint, and make plays as a secondary facilitator. He’s comfortable scoring at all three levels, highlighted by a confident pull-up jumper, though his perimeter consistency remains an area for growth.
On the defensive end, Givens has solid size and instincts, allowing him to stay in front of opposing guards and create occasional disruption. He projects as a developmental lead guard with upside, capable of evolving into a dependable rotation piece as his decision-making, strength, and shooting efficiency improve.
Early on, Givens is expected to provide depth behind Justin Pippen at point guard, giving Ohio State another ball handler who can create offense and keep things organized when the starters are off the floor. As he develops, his role could expand, as he has the tools to become a reliable contributor—or potentially more—if his game continues to progress.
-Jason Harris