Following Chris Holtmann’s firing on Feb. 14, Ohio State’s two signees for the class of 2024 — Mount Pleasant (Utah) Wasatch Academy four-star combo guard Juni Mobley (6-0, 150) and Ottawa (Ohio) Glandorf three-star small forward Colin White (6-6, 180) — both indicated that they were committed to the program but keeping a close eye on what direction the program takes moving forward.
That commitment was ensured following news of Diebler’s hiring, with Mobley and White both reportedly confirming their commitments to the now-Diebler-led Buckeyes on Sunday.
According to the Columbus Dispatch, Mobley — the nation’s 49th-best prospect and fifth-best combo guard who originally committed to the then-Holtmann-led program in October 2022 — met with Diebler in Columbus after the hiring was made, where he reaffirmed his commitment to the program alongside his family.
Mobley’s commitment ensures that an elite offensive talent will be joining the program next season. He averaged 19.9 points and 5.0 assists per game for Wasatch Academy during Nike EYBL Scholastic League play, with his points total ranking second in the league behind Bradenton (Fla.) five-star point guard Darius Acuff Jr. (6-3, 180), the nation’s ninth-best prospect.
White, the nation’s 183rd-best prospect and seventh-best prospect in Ohio, also indicated his allegiance to the program, saying that he is looking forward to playing under the tutelage of Diebler, who was his primary recruiter in the months before White’s commitment last summer.
“Colin is committed to the Buckeyes and is extremely excited to play for coach Diebler,” Terry White, Colin’s father, told the Dispatch. “We are extremely excited for coach Diebler and his family. The Ohio State University and Buckeye Nation will be proud of the men’s basketball program and we are extremely excited and blessed to be a part of it.”
White will enter the program following a sensational senior season and career at Ottawa-Glandorf. The 6-6 forward, who won the Division III Northwest Ohio Player of The Year award in 2022-23, has led the Titans to a fourth-straight Division III regional championship, scoring 26 points and 11 rebounds in the team’s 57-43 win over Castalia Margaretta on March 16 in the regional championship game.
White, who will play in the Division III state title semifinal game against Harvest Prep on Friday, is averaging 24.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.1 steals this season, a stat line that has allowed him to become the school and Ottawa County’s all-time leading scorer as well as an Ohio Mr. Basketball finalist.
Both Mobley and White’s assured commitment allows them to join a young Ohio State core under Diebler next season that will likely also include freshmen Scotty Middleton and Devin Royal, who both emerged as viable performers off the bench under Diebler’s guidance, along with more established sophomores and team leaders Roddy Gayle Jr., Felix Okpara and Felix Okpara, among others.
