How Ohio State Stands With 2023, 2024 Basketball Recruits

After securing a top-10 recruiting class in 2022 and the commitments of Dayton Chaminade Julienne four-star shooting guard George Washington III (6-2, 165) and Saint Mary’s (Ohio) Memorial four-star center Austin Parks (6-9, 240) in the class of 2023, Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann is looking to continue to bolster his roster in the classes of 2023 and 2024. 

Although there is still plenty of time for the Buckeyes to strengthen their 2023 class, the commitments from Washington III and Parks have vaulted Ohio State’s class to seventh in the country and third in the Big Ten — trailing only Indiana and Purdue — according to 247Sports. 

Ohio State is still looking to add a forward in the 2023 class and have remained focused on Wichita (Kan.) Sunrise Christian four-star small forward Scotty Middleton (6-6, 180), Columbus Africentric Early College four-star small forward Dailyn Swain (6-6, 170) and Pickerington Central four-star small forward Devin Royal (6-6, 210). The Buckeyes have also set an official visit date with Indianapolis Cathedral four-star power forward Xavier Booker (6-10, 205), who told On3 that he will visit Columbus on Sept. 3. Booker went on to say he has “a great relationship with the coaches” and he likes what Ohio State does in terms of playstyle. 

While the Buckeyes continue to build their 2023 class, they have also been active on the recruiting trail for 2024 prospects since the unlimited contact period began on June 15. Ohio State has placed 10 offers to 2024 recruits to this point, three of which have been dished out to point guards.

At the point guard spot, Holtmann and his coaching staff have sent offers to Eddyville, Ky., four-star Travis Perry (6-2, 170), Erie (Pa.) Keystone Athletic Academy’s Dellquan Warren (6-1, 160) and Las Vegas Bishop Gorman’s Juni Mobley (6-0, 150). Perry has garnered the most attention to this point, securing offers from 13 other schools — including his home-state Kentucky Wildcats. Warren and Mobley have received offers from five other schools, respectively.

Although Holtmann has put a national flair in his recruiting strategy at the one, his lone shooting guard offer is Dayton Centerville’s Jonathan Powell (6-4, 170). The Buckeyes offered Powell on May 3, but he has also received attention from other Big Ten teams including Illinois and Indiana. 

At the three, Ohio State has given offers to a pair of 6-foot-8 players including Phoenix Hillcrest Prep five-star small forward Jason Asemota (6-7, 190). Asemota is the No. 6 small forward and No. 2 recruit out of Arizona in the class. The Buckeyes have also provided an offer to Montverde, Fla., Montverde Academy four-star small forward Amier Ali (6-8, 175).

In the frontcourt, the Buckeyes have already missed out on Chicago St. Rita four-star power forward Morez Johnson (6-7, 200), who committed to Illinois in November. While Johnson joins a Big Ten rival, Ohio State also offered the No. 1 in-state recruit in the class, Cincinnati Walnut Hills four-star power forward Tyler McKinley (6-8, 210).

McKinley has garnered plenty of attention from Ohio schools at this point in his recruitment, also receiving offers from Xavier, Cincinnati, Ohio, Miami (Ohio) and Dayton. The Buckeyes have also issued offers to a pair of centers: Chicago St. Rita four-star James Brown (6-9, 210) — the No. 1 recruit in Illinois — and Colora (Md.) West Nottingham Academy four-star Yves Missi (6-10, 210).

Ohio State is off to a solid start in 2023 as the upcoming season approaches, but work will continue for this current cycle and beyond as the Buckeyes prepare for their return to the court.