Brice Sensabaugh declares for NBA Draft after breakout freshman season
COLUMBUS — Ohio State star freshman forward Brice Sensabaugh has declared for this year’s NBA Draft but is leaving a potential return to the Buckeyes on the table.
“Ever since I can remember, playing in the NBA has always been my dream,” Sensabaugh wrote in a social media announcement. “The game of basketball has taken me places I could’ve never imagined and has provided endless opportunity for me as a student-athlete. The journey to this current position in my life has been immensely challenging; without God and the help of my peers I can confidently say I wouldn’t be where I am now.”
For student-athletes with eligibility remaining, like Sensabaugh, the option to return to college after entering their name into the NBA Draft is in play until 10 days after the NBA Combine, which takes place from May 16 to May 18 this year.
Sensabaugh, however, is a projected first-round pick and has been for months now. He led the Buckeyes with 16.3 points per game in 2022-23. The three-level scoring forward piled up 20 or more points 11 times and, at one point, was Ohio State’s top scorer for 13 straight games.
Sensabaugh has a chance to be the Buckeyes’ second one-and-done in a row. Last year, guard Malaki Branham — now a rookie with the San Antonio Spurs — made the decision to go pro after rising up draft boards during his first year at Ohio State.
Sensabaugh came to Columbus as the No. 54 overall prospect in the 2022 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, and more than lived up to his four-star rating. The Orlando native bounced back from an injury- and COVID-19-riddled junior high school season — which included two meniscus surgeries — to become Florida’s Mr. Basketball as a senior at Lake Highland Prep.
Then he logged the fourth-most points by a freshman in Ohio State history. It took Sensabaugh only nine games to crack the starting five, and he was part of that lineup all but six games the rest of the season, the final two of which he missed with a knee injury that he suffered against Iowa in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament.
Sensabaugh improved as the season wore on, particularly as a passer. He had two or more assists in seven of his last eight games. His defense is still a work-in-progress, but he demonstrated growth in that department, too.
It was shot making ability that stuck out the most, though. Sensabaugh made contested field goal attempts look easy, and it’s a big reason why he posted a field goal percentage of 48.0% and a 3-point percentage of 40.5%.
“I am inexplicably prideful to say that I am a Buckeye, and I say this with no uncertainty,” Sensabaugh wrote. “To be part of this brotherhood was a dream of mine growing up, and with this freshman year under my belt, I can say that it exceeded my expectations by a long shot.
“A special thanks to my coaches for their teachings and trust. To my teammates, I love y’all boys, and I will never forget the numerous memories that we made together. Thank you to the loving fans and everyone who has ever shown love to me as a Buckeye.”
