COLUMBUS — The Ohio State basketball team has been fortunate that the bulk of its returning players from the 2023-24 season have eagerly signed up to play for Jake Diebler, but it’s not completely immune to attrition.
A third player has chosen to explore his options by entering the transfer portal but unlike the first two, this one serves as a significant blow to the Buckeyes’ starting lineup.
Roddy Gayle Jr. took significant strides during his second season in Columbus, finishing the year third in scoring (13.5) and rebounding (4.6) and second in assists (3.1). He and Bruce Thornton formed one of the Big Ten’s best backcourts and might’ve been the best-returning backcourt next season.
But instead, the former top-50 recruit is the third player to enter the transfer portal this offseason, joining Scotty Middleton and Bowen Hardman.
Gayle is the second member of OSU’s highly-rated 2022 class to leave the program early, with Brice Sensabaugh turning into a one-and-done NBA Draft pick following the 2022-23 season. His departure is softened by the return of Meechie Johnson Jr., who spent the last two seasons helping turn around South Carolina’s program before returning home for his final season.
But it doesn’t take away from the fact that Ohio State has now lost two vital pieces to the future of its backcourt. However, there is a chance that Gayle’s spot could quickly be filled by former Princeton guard and Columbus native Matt Allocco.
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