Buckeyes Bolster Guard Depth with Promising newcomers and Returning Talent
The Ohio State Buckeyes are set to feature a revamped backcourt for the upcoming season, with a blend of returning talent and promising new additions aiming to steer the team back to NCAA Tournament contention. Among the key figures expected to contribute are redshirt sophomore taison Chatman and freshmen Myles Herro and Mathieu Grujicic.
Chatman, a highly touted recruit ranked No.36 nationally coming out of high school, has faced setbacks due to injuries. After appearing in 17 games as a freshman,a knee procedure in October 2023 sidelined him for the entire past season. Despite these challenges, Head Coach Diebler expressed optimism about ChatmanS current readiness. “I’ve been realy impressed with his commitment to working and getting better and getting ready,” Diebler stated. “He’s not behind, he’s not apprehensive, he’s in the mix, he’s playing hard, he’s being aggressive.”
The Buckeyes had anticipated significant contributions from Dorian Jones of Richmond Heights. However, Jones announced in late May that he will instead spend a year at a preparatory school, with academic considerations reportedly influencing his decision.
In response to Jones’s departure, the Buckeyes secured the commitments of Herro from Wisconsin and Grujicic from germany. Herro, the younger brother of NBA All-Star Tyler Herro, is a 6-3 guard who is currently on a developmental trajectory. Grujicic, a 6-6 prospect at 18 years old, brings a wealth of international experience. Diebler highlighted Grujicic’s potential impact, noting, “He provides real positional size and perimeter versatility. For being such a young player, he’s got a unique blend of high-level experience. He has a mature pace to his game that you don’t see in a lot of young players.” He added that if either freshman earns playing time this season,it is likely to be Grujicic.
Historically, experienced backcourts have been a significant factor in NCAA Tournament success. For the current Buckeyes squad, the immediate objective is to secure a spot in the tournament bracket.
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