Ohio State is hosting international big man Roee Oselka (6-11, 210), a native of Israel, on an official visit this weekend, first reported on Thursday by 247Sports Travis Branham and confirmed Friday by Oselka’s Twitter page, which posted a picture of him in the Buckeyes’ locker room.
Oselka is reportedly 20 years old and participated on the Israeli professional team Hapoel Holon this past season. According to EuroBasket.com, he appeared in just seven games in 2023-24 and made his only field goal attempt of the season. He has also played with Israel’s 18-U and 20-U teams.Â
There is not much known about the Israeli big man in terms of his background and other leagues he’s played in, but he does now have eligibility to play all four seasons in college in the United States if he chooses to do so.
Teams other than Ohio State have shown interest in Oselka in the past. He announced on Twitter that he made visits to both Arizona and Kansas State last summer when he was in the United States for an international basketball event.
Oselka is also likely still currently serving his required term in the Israeli military. By law, each Israeli citizen — both men and women — are required to serve in the military starting at the age of 18, with men being required to serve at least three years and women for at least two years.
This means Oselka would have to be a 21-year-old freshman in college if he chooses to play for Ohio State or another school, something that is rare within college basketball and college athletics as a whole. One instance of this occurring is on the Ohio State women’s tennis team, when current junior Shelly Bereznyak, who joined the program in 2021-22 after serving her required military term as a 21-year-old freshman.
Ohio State currently has one open roster spot for the 2023-24 season. If Oselka is to finish his military service and join the Buckeyes, he would be the third frontcourt player to join the Buckeyes this offseason, joining
