Ohio State and head coach Jake Diebler are on the board in the 2025 class, securing an in-state commitment from Cleveland Richmond Heights four-star shooting guard Dorian Jones (6-4, 160) on Monday afternoon.
Jones, the nation’s 72nd-best prospect, 12th-best shooting guard and No. 2 overall player in Ohio, chose the Buckeyes over Michigan, Missouri and Rutgers.
Jones commits to the Buckeyes nearly two months after taking his first official visit with the program from May 9-12. Jones had taken multiple unofficial visits to Ohio State since the school offered him his freshman season, but this was his first trip to Columbus with Diebler leading the program, who was Jones’ primary recruiter when Holtmann was head coach.
Jones told The Columbus Dispatch that Diebler and his new-look staff quickly re-offered him a scholarship during his May visit, a gesture that he said affirmed his interest in the program, and may have ultimately led to his commitment.
“They didn’t take long at all (to re-offer me),” Jones told The Dispatch. “It was constant ever since Holtmann left and when he was still there. It means a lot because that once again shows the love that they have for me.”
Jones’ pledge is a significant get for the Buckeyes, as the four-star has turned in a sensational first three high school seasons at Richmond Heights, helping lead the Spartans to a combined 73-13 record and three-straight OHSAA Division IV state championships.
Last season, he earned first-team All-Ohio Division IV honors by averaging 14.1 points per game while also thriving on the defensive end. He was perhaps more dominant his sophomore season, averaging 20.1 points per game and earning Division IV Player of the Year.
Jones’ pledge also continues Diebler’s major emphasis on bringing in elite in-state talent through recruiting. The program has also secured an in-state pledge from Cleveland Garfield Heights five-star 2026 point guard Marcus Johnson (6-1, 175) — the cousin of Meechie Johnson — who is the top-rated 2026 prospect in Ohio and nation’s 19th-best prospect.
The Buckeyes are also set to host Northwest Ohio native and Huntington (W.V.) Prep five-star 2025 shooting guard Darryn Peterson (6-5, 195) on Aug. 1, making for a potentially formidable 2025 class of Ohio talent if Peterson commits alongside Jones.
