7-foot-1 Serbian forward Vuk Lazarevic has officially committed to Jake Diebler and the Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball team as a member of the program’s 2026–27 recruiting class, selecting Ohio State over UConn and several other schools. The 200-pound Serbian prospect spent this past season at Wasatch Academy in Utah after previously developing through the highly regarded Crvena zvezda youth system in Europe.
Considered by many evaluators to be a high-ceiling long-term prospect, Lazarevic brings a polished international skill set and advanced feel for the game to Columbus. The left-handed forward projects as a versatile modern frontcourt player who can impact winning in multiple ways through his passing ability, spacing awareness, and team-first approach. His versatility allows him to slide between wing and forward roles, while his basketball IQ and unselfish style are traits scouts believe should translate smoothly to the college game.
Lazarevic still has room to develop physically, but his long-term upside remains intriguing. Continuing to add strength, becoming more consistent from the perimeter, and growing as an offensive creator are viewed as key areas in his development. At Wasatch Academy, one of the premier prep programs in the country, Lazarevic averaged 8.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 17 games against elite national competition.
While he is not expected to make an immediate impact in the rotation, Lazarevic gives Ohio State another intriguing developmental piece for the future. His combination of size, skill, and international experience fits naturally within the Buckeyes’ uptempo, ball-screen-heavy offensive system, and his long-term potential makes him a player worth monitoring as he adjusts to the college level under Diebler’s staff.
-Jason Harris