Roddy Gayle opens up on his decision to transfer from Ohio State to Michigan

Both Michigan and Ohio State are entering new eras in their basketball programs with head coaching changes. However, of all the changes for both the Wolverines and Buckeyes, there’ll be one constant between the two of them from last season to this one in Roddy Gayle Jr..

Gayle spoke about crossing the rivalry from Columbus to Ann Arbor in the transfer portal during a media availability last week. He said that he fully understands his decision and wait it entails with him between the two schools.

“It’s very interesting. It’s not something too many people do,” said Gayle. “I’m just glad, you know, I’m here in Ann Arbor.”

Gayle spent two seasons at Ohio State where he appeared in 71 games, including 46 starts with him as a full-timer last year. He averaged 9.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and two assists in those pair of seasons. He made a sophomore jump in that to 13.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists.

However, following the season, Gayle entered his name into the portal. The Wolverines were one of the first teams to reach out to him and, following a visit, he committed to the maize & blue just over two weeks later.

Gayle committed to them as the No. 13 SG and at No. 75 overall in On3’s 2024 Transfer Portal Top Players. He joined as one of six transfers who came in under the new leadership of Dusty May.

Now, at his new school, Gayle thinks he’ll fit right in with the system that they want to play.

“I feel like Dusty May and his staff will succeed and put me in great position to be successful.”

“Just Dusty’s track record is no, you know, mystery. I feel like he had a great run with FAU and I feel like he took that program to places they never knew they could be,” said Gayle. “With his offensive schemes, his offensive mind along with Coach Boynton’s defensive principles? I feel like, when them two come together, it’ll be great for me personally just kind of because I’m a two-way player. I feel like that was a great way for me to be able to put myself in position to be successful moving forward.”

There’s no love lost between Michigan and Ohio State in anything they may do. Gayle just now hopes he can focus on what he’s doing currently until he has to deal with what comes with that upon his return to Value City Arena.

“I’m great here,” Gayle said. “I’m glad that everything is in the past for now, you know, until that game comes and we’ve got to go to Columbus. It’s a very expected game and I can’t wait honestly.”