The 25 best players in Ohio State men’s basketball history

Going approach again into the annals of Ohio State basketball for this system’s first true star. Hull was an All-American and the Huge Ten’s main scorer throughout the 1938-39 season, when the Buckeyes have been a part of the primary NCAA closing, dropping to Oregon. He was additionally named Most Excellent Participant of that inaugural NCAA Match. Hull was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Corridor of Fame in 1977, and the Ohio Basketball Corridor of Fame in 2007.

Freeman stood beneath six ft tall, however he positive put up some big numbers for the Buckeyes to turn into this system’s first two-time All-American. After he averaged 21.1 factors in his first varsity season, Freeman poured in 31.5 factors per recreation whereas restricted to 13 contests on account of accidents. A season later, Freeman averaged 32.9 factors — nonetheless a college report. One of many first masters of the leap shot, Freeman nonetheless holds the Ohio State report for profession scoring common (28.0), and completed his three-season run with 1,597 factors.

A member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Corridor of Fame, Havlicek set the muse for his legendary NBA profession with the Boston Celtics whereas at Ohio State. In his first season, Havlicek averaged a stable 12.2 factors, on 46.2-percent taking pictures, and seven.3 rebounds on the Buckeyes’ nationwide championship workforce of 1959-60. By the point Havlicek’s school profession ended, he would common 14.6 factors, shoot 50.8 % and pull down 8.6 rebounds per recreation. Throughout Havlicek’s time in Columbus, the Buckeyes went 78-6 and made three straight Closing 4 appearances. His No. 5 uniform was retired by the college throughout the mid-2000s.

When debating the best participant in Ohio State basketball historical past, Lucas typically makes the dialog a brief one. In his first school varsity season, Lucas averaged 26.3 factors and 16.4 rebounds in serving to the Buckeyes win the 1960 nationwide championship. In 1960-61, the 6-foot-8 Lucas averaged 24.9 factors with 17.4 boards to earn NCAA Participant of the Yr honors, an achievement he repeated in ’61-’62 for averaging 21.8 factors and 17.8 rebounds. The one three-time Huge Ten Participant of the Yr, Lucas was additionally a three-time, first-team All-American, main the nation in field-goal proportion every season. His 62.4-percent taking pictures for a profession stays a college report, whereas his 1,411 rebounds are additionally a program report. In the meantime, the Corridor of Famer’s 1,990 factors rank third amongst all Buckeyes. Lucas, who additionally received gold with the 1960 United States Olympic basketball workforce, had his No. 11 retired in 2000.

Following a quick keep at Kentucky, the Jamestown product made his approach again residence to Ohio, the place he was a two-time All-American. Taking part in alongside John Havlicek, Jerry Lucas and Bobby Knight throughout his profession, the 6-foot-8 Bradds was a real power — particularly throughout his junior and senior campaigns. In 1962-63, Bradds averaged 28 factors and 13 rebounds, setting the desk for a stellar senior marketing campaign. In his closing 12 months, Bradds averaged 30.6 factors, and scored at the least 40 in 4 straight video games. He additionally pulled down a median of 13.4 boards whereas incomes nationwide participant of the 12 months honors. Bradds’ 735 factors from 1963-64 are second-most in class historical past, whereas he owns the highest two highest-scoring video games at Ohio State with 49 and 48 factors, respectively. His No. 35 was retired by the Buckeyes program.

As reliable as they arrive, Hosket was a captain who averaged 19.5 factors and 12.3 rebounds throughout his three-year profession with the Buckeyes. Throughout the 1967-68 season, Hosket averaged a career-best 20.1 factors, plus 11.4 rebounds, whereas serving to lead Ohio State to a Huge Ten title and third-place nationwide end after it reached the Closing 4 for the eighth time in class historical past. Hosket, who scored 1,441 profession factors, ranks fourth in class historical past with 910 complete rebounds. As well as, Hosket was Ohio State’s first Educational All-American basketball participant.

It may be robust to label a fantastic participant inside a college’s historical past as being underrated. Cleamons, who may be finest referred to as a nine-time NBA champion assistant coach, averaged 18.5 factors and seven.3 rebounds throughout his three seasons with the Buckeyes, however did not obtain the nationwide notoriety as others on this checklist. Famous for his management skills, Cleamons started his school profession as a 6-5 energy ahead, however finally moved to level guard. A testomony to his versatility. Cleamons’ 54.2 profession field-goal proportion nonetheless ranks among the many high 10 in program historical past.  

Taking part in at 6-feet-1, Hornyak definitely had a knack for placing the ball within the rim. In 69 video games, Hornyak totaled 1,572 profession factors and averaged 22.8 per contest (third-best scoring common in class historical past). Hornyak was an All-Huge Ten choice every of his three seasons at Ohio State, and likewise earned second-team All-American honors by United Press Worldwide in 1972 and third-team in ’73. A key piece to the Buckeyes’ 1971 Huge Ten championship squad, Hornyak was inducted into the Ohio Basketball Corridor of Fame in 2008.

A four-year starter for the Buckeyes throughout the late Nineteen Seventies, Ransey ranks fifth in class historical past with 1,934 factors and fourth with 516 assists. A a number of All-Huge Ten performer at Ohio State, Ransey was named a third-team All-American from the UPI in 1978-79 — whereas averaging 21.4 factors and taking pictures 54.7 % from the sphere — and consensus All-American decide the subsequent season, when he averaged 16.2 factors and profession highs of 6.2 assists and 4.2 rebounds. For his profession, Ransey shot 49 % — a formidable feat for a guard.

One in all two gamers in Ohio State basketball historical past to attain at the least 2,000 factors, Williams ranks second in class historical past (2,011) in scoring. He began all 114 video games he performed for the Buckeyes, averaging 17.6 factors whereas taking pictures slightly below 50 % from the sphere, and nonetheless holds the college report with 834 profession made subject targets. As well as, Williams, a third-team All-American decide by The Related Press from the 1979-80 season, additionally ranks second in class historical past with 1,111 rebounds — good for a 9.7 profession common on the glass. 

The informal school basketball fan seemingly is aware of Kellogg as one of many nice tv analysts of the sport. Nonetheless, he performed fairly properly throughout his three seasons with the Buckeyes. Kellogg averaged 14.9 factors and 10.1 rebounds spanning 86 video games. He received Huge Ten Participant of the Yr honors in his closing collegiate season of 1981-82, averaging 16.1 factors (on 52.7-percent taking pictures) and 10.5 rebounds. Kellogg is a member of each the Ohio State Athletics Corridor of Fame and Ohio Basketball Corridor of Fame.

It could be honest to name Hopson a late bloomer. Not a daily starter for the primary two years of his Ohio State profession, Hopson didn’t common double-digit factors in both of these campaigns. Then as a junior, he scored 20.9 per recreation on 54.5 % taking pictures. A season later, he averaged 29 factors (second-best within the nation), on 51.8-percent taking pictures, together with profession highs of 8.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and a couple of.2 steals per recreation to win Huge Ten Participant of the Yr. His 958 factors from 1986-87 stay a college report, and Hopson’s 2,096 complete profession factors are nonetheless essentially the most of any Buckeye for a profession. 

From the get-go, Jackson made an impression with the Buckeyes. He began all 93 video games throughout his three seasons at Ohio State, and ranks among the many faculty’s high 10 in profession scoring (1,785 factors). The Huge Ten Freshman of the Yr and two-time league participant of the 12 months and twice-named first-team All-American, Jackson was named School Participant of the Yr by the UPI for his 1991-92 season. Throughout that 12 months, Jackson averaged profession highs of twenty-two.4 factors, 6.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists earlier than taking his act to the NBA. Jackson’s No. 22 was retired by the college in 2001.

Part of the 1999 Closing 4 group, Redd ranks sixth in class historical past with 1,879 factors, for a median of 19.6 whereas beginning all 96 video games he performed over three seasons. His Ohio State profession acquired off to a bang when he averaged a career-high 21.9 factors, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and a couple of.0 steals en path to being named Huge Ten Freshman of the Yr. Redd additionally averaged 6.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.6 steals for a university profession that paved the best way for each an All-Star run within the NBA and Olympic gold.

Penn started his collegiate profession at Boston School, the place he averaged extra slightly greater than 13 factors in every of his two seasons there. Then after sitting out the 1997-98 marketing campaign, Penn broke out with the Buckeyes as a junior, averaging 16.9 factors (on 45-percent taking pictures), 4.3 assists and slightly below 4 rebounds per recreation to be named co-Huge Ten Participant of the Yr, whereas serving to the Buckeyes attain the Closing 4 (which formally is not acknowledged by the NCAA on account of violations dedicated by this system). Penn averaged almost 16 factors in his senior season to as soon as once more earn first-team All-Huge Ten honors.

Johnson wasn’t a lot of a scorer throughout his 4 seasons with the Buckeyes, averaging 8.3 factors. Nonetheless, the 6-foot-11 Detroit product has gone down as one of many nice put up presences in class historical past whereas beginning all however 4 of the 127 video games he performed. Johnson’s 444 profession blocks are essentially the most at Ohio State and within the Huge Ten. He additionally owns the college report for blocked pictures in a single season (161 in 1999-2000) and a recreation (11). He averaged profession bests of 12.5 factors, 7.3 rebounds, plus 4.0 blocks, in 2000-01, when he was a First-Crew All-Huge Ten decide. The Huge Ten Defensive Participant of the Yr in each 2000 and ’01, Johnson additionally resides within the high 10 at Ohio State with 739 profession rebounds. 

Dials performed 132 video games, spanning elements of 5 seasons with the Buckeyes. Throughout that stellar school school profession, Dials totaled greater than 1,500 factors and ranks fifth in class historical past with 876 rebounds. In 2004-05, the 6-9 Dials averaged a career-high 15.9 factors with 7.9 rebounds. Then in his closing marketing campaign of 2005-06, Dials received Huge Ten Participant of the Yr for averaging 15.3 factors, on 57.4-percent taking pictures, and a career-best 8.0 rebounds. His 55.8 profession field-goal proportion additionally ranks among the many finest in Ohio State historical past.

The primary half of Ohio State’s one-and-done dynamic duo that helped the Buckeyes attain their most up-to-date NCAA Match Championship Sport. In main Ohio State to a 34-5 mark throughout the 2006-07 season, Conley averaged 11.3 factors, on 51.8-percent taking pictures from the sphere, 6.1 assists, 3.4 rebounds and a couple of.2 steals, whereas beginning all 39 video games. Starting with the Huge Ten match, Conley averaged 15.3 factors in 9 postseason contests. Conley’s 238 assists from that season are nonetheless a college report.

It may definitely be argued that the 7-foot Oden was overhyped for his one and solely collegiate season, by which he performed alongside the aforementioned Conley. Nonetheless, Oden, who battled harm to play in 32 of 39 video games that 2006-07 season, might need been essentially the most dominant defensive put up participant within the nation on the time. Along with averaging 15.7 factors on 61.6-percent taking pictures (ranked fourth for a Buckeye), 9.6 rebounds and three.3 blocks (his 105 that season are third-most at Ohio State), Oden was honored as each the Huge Ten and nationwide Defensive Participant of the Yr. 

If there’s anyone to rival Jerry Lucas as the most effective participant in Ohio State historical past, Turner may be the man. On the subject of versatility, Turner seemingly did all of it on the school stage. After 101 video games spanning three seasons, Turner totaled 1,517 factors and 682 rebounds, and ranks among the many faculty’s all-time high 10 for assists (414) and steals (159). In his closing season of 2009-10, Turner averaged profession highs of 20.4 factors, 9.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists whereas being named Huge Ten and Nationwide Participant of the Yr. Turner’s No. 21 was retired by Ohio State in 2016.

Regular may be the easiest way to explain Buford’s play throughout his 4 seasons at Ohio State. Now, Buford wasn’t a famous person, by means of he was the Huge Ten Freshman of Yr whereas averaging 11.3 factors and taking pictures 36.1 % from 3-point vary, and twice named an All-Huge Ten second-teamer, whereas additionally serving to the Buckeyes attain the 2012 Closing 4. When Buford’s school profession ended, he totaled 1,990 factors (ranks third in class historical past) and joins Jerry Lucas and Michael Redd as the one Buckeyes to attain greater than 500 factors in three seasons. His 744 made subject targets, 215 made 3-pointers and 38.5 3-point subject purpose proportion rank among the many high 10 amongst all Buckeyes.

Sullinger offered the star energy for Ohio State’s 2012 Closing 4 squad, and put collectively two of the most effective particular person seasons in program historical past. The 6-9 Columbus native averaged 17.3 factors and 9.7 rebounds in 74 video games over these two seasons with the Buckeyes. He was named the Huge Ten and nationwide freshman of the 12 months for averaging 17.2 factors and 10.2 rebounds. A consensus All-American every season at Ohio State, Sullinger scored almost 1,300 factors and pulled down 717 rebounds. He is considered one of six Ohio State gamers to attain 600 or extra factors in two seasons.

The pesky Craft performed with a excessive motor and is without doubt one of the best defensive gamers in Ohio State historical past. He was twice named the Huge Ten Defensive Participant of the Yr and is the college’s all-time steals chief with 337. And oh yeah, Craft was fairly good on the opposite finish of the courtroom, and occurs to be Ohio State’s profession assists chief with 694, making him considered one of three gamers in Huge Ten historical past with greater than 600 assists and 300 steals for a profession. Although Craft averaged double-digit factors simply as soon as throughout his four-year, 148-game school profession, he shot 46 % from the sphere. He was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Corridor of Fame in 2022. 

Like others on this checklist, Russell wanted just one season to land himself among the many greats in Ohio State basketball historical past. Whereas beginning all 35 video games for the Buckeyes throughout the 2014-15 season, Russell averaged a team-leading 19.3 factors, plus 5.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.6 steals. On Feb. 8, 2015 at Rutgers, Russell totaled 23 factors, 11 boards and 11 assists to turn into the primary Ohio State freshman to report a triple-double. Russell, who earned consensus All-American recognition, ranks among the many faculty’s high 10 in single-season factors (675) and assists (175).

Among the best prep gamers ever to return from the state of Illinois, Liddell made his school bones at Ohio’s most celebrated collegiate establishment. In three seasons with the Buckeyes, Liddell was twice named an All-Huge Ten first-team performer whereas totaling 1,298 factors, 546 rebounds and 143 blocks (seventh-most in class historical past). Throughout his closing marketing campaign of 2021-22, he averaged profession highs of 14.1 factors, whereas taking pictures 49 %, 7.9 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and being named Huge Ten Defensive Participant of the Yr honors, en path to incomes third-team All-American standing from The Related Press.