Jake Diebler updates Ohio State's plans for final scholarship

Ohio State men’s basketball coach Jake Diebler’s first official roster in Columbus has really taken shape, and the Buckeyes are merely looking to put the finishing touches on their 2024-25 group at this point in the offseason.

OSU currently has 12 scholarship players on the roster along with a few walk-ons. Men’s college hoops programs are offered up to 13 scholarship spots, so Diebler does have another open slot to play with. However, he said recently that Ohio State will stay flexible with that final spot for now.

“I think we’ll be able to speak more specifically on that here in the near future,” Diebler answered when asked by reporters. He then explained that in the modern age of constant player movement, it’s better to be nimble than set in stone with your roster in July.

“You know, right now, it’s fluid, more than it ever has been,” he added. “That’s just the nature of college basketball. And you know, I think, from this standpoint, as we have looked to finalize things, we’ve looked to build around the pieces that we have and complement the guys that we have, because we’re really excited about this group.”

For now, all focus on the core of guys in the building now while prospecting that last potential additions.

“So, yeah, can’t give you too much more information than that right now. We’ll have more information here soon,” said Diebler.

One reporter asked: “Could there be multiple additions?” To which Diebler again played the flexibility card: “That’s going to be fluid, yeah, that’s going be fluid for the time being.”

Currently, OSU has a nice mix of pieces on the roster with all sorts of roads leading to Columbus. You have guys who stuck around, like star guard and 2023-24 leading scorer Bruce Thornton. He’s the only major contributor from last year to return but role players like Devin Royal and Evan Mahaffey are back, as are end-of-bench youngsters Austin Parks and Kalen Etzler.

Then, there’s a few freshmen coming in and of course several transfers, including a returner to Ohio State in Meechie Johnson, who started at OSU, went to South Carolina for two seasons, then transferred back. He makes up a very solid starting backcourt with Thornton.

Even beyond him, Micah Parrish is a terrific addition as a hard-nosed wing who played on San Diego State’s runner-up team. Plus, Sean Stewart and Aaron Bradshaw are former top-20 recruits from the 2023 class who spent one year at Duke and Kentucky respectively, so there’s clearly upside there.

Filling that last spot will be all about finding the right fit for Jake Diebler, who has plenty enough on his roster already.