Scarlet Sunrise: Brice Sensabaugh receives NBA Combine invite

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Brice Sensabaugh receives NBA Combine invite

Ohio State freshman forward Brice Sensabaugh was one of 78 prospects to earn an invite to this year’s NBA Combine, which will take place in Chicago from May 15-21.

There are 10 other Big Ten players who also received invites to the combine: Jalen Hood-Schifino (Indiana), Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indiana), Kobe Bufkin (Michigan), Jett Howard (Michigan), Jalen Pickett (Penn State), Seth Lundy (Penn State), Terrence Shannon Jr. (Illinois), Coleman Hawkins (Illinois), Kris Murray (Iowa) and Zach Edey (Purdue).

Sensabaugh declared for the NBA Draft earlier this offseason while preserving his college eligibility. That means the Orlando native has until May 31, 10 days after the combine wraps, to decide if he wants to return to Ohio State for a sophomore season or continue with draft preparation.

Sensabaugh led the Buckeyes with 16.3 points per game last season. He showcased his ability to score at all three levels, piling up 20 or more points on 11 separate occasions. At one point, he was Ohio State’s top scorer for 13 straight games.

5:15 left in 2H: Ohio State 59, Illinois 52.

Watch out.

Brice Sensabaugh just threw down a one-handed dunk over Illinois fifth-year forward Matthew Mayer.

Posterizer.

Then Sensabaugh hit a mid-range jumper to push the #Buckeyes lead to seven. The Schott is bumping. pic.twitter.com/orSRdRqGKg

— Andy Backstrom (@andybackstrom) February 26, 2023

If Sensabaugh stays in the draft, he’ll be the Buckeyes’ second one-and-done in a row. Last year, guard Malaki Branham opted to go pro after a standout freshman season in Columbus. Branham started 32 of the 66 games he appeared in for the San Antonio Spurs as a rookie in 2022-23 and averaged 10.2 points per contest.

Like Branham, Sensabaugh outperformed his recruiting ranking his first year at Ohio State. Sensabaugh arrived on campus as the No. 54 overall prospect in the class of 2022, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, and wound up tallying the fourth-most points by a freshman in Buckeyes history.

Although Sensabaugh’s defense remains a work-in-progress, it did improve as the season wore on. But it was his offensive efficiency that turned heads. He was 48% from the field, including 40.5% from long range, and he made a habit of converting contested shots.

Sensabaugh has the opportunity to put that skill set on display at the combine, where there will be 5-on-5 games, in addition to shooting, strength and agility drills.

Buckeyes land commitment from former Ole Miss defensive tackle Tywone Malone

Ohio State added its third transfer this spring when former Ole Miss defensive tackle Tywone Malone committed to the Buckeyes Tuesday.

Malone visited Ohio State two weekends ago, but that’s not the first time the Buckeyes recruited him. Longtime D-Line coach Larry Johnson was high on Malone when he was making a name for himself at Bergen Catholic, where he emerged as the top recruit in New Jersey during the 2021 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

New chapter same Mission🌰🔒 pic.twitter.com/vFr7w4ePDl

— Tywone Malone (@TywoneMalone) May 9, 2023

Malone ultimately chose Ole Miss, however, and he played both football and baseball for the Rebels last year. In his two football seasons with the school, he recorded 13 total tackles, two sacks and two pass deflections.

For more on Malone’s transfer, go here.

RELATED

• What addition of Tywone Malone from transfer portal means for Buckeyes

Progress Report: Evaluating Ohio State running backs, wide receivers after spring practice

Lettermen Row continued its “Progress Report” series by highlighting the progress of Ohio State’s running backs and wide receivers.

They are two of the most crowded position groups on the team. The Buckeyes return five scholarship running backs, four of whom led Ohio State in rushing at least one game last season.

As for the wideouts, the Buckeyes bring back their top-three leading receivers from 2022, including 1,000-yard pass catchers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. But a big storyline in the spring was the emergence of early-enrollee wideouts, namely Carnell Tate.

Without further ado, here is the progress report for running backs. And head here for the latest on the Buckeyes’ wide receivers.

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 117 days

Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 201 days

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