Coming off the program’s first appearance in the Elite Eight since 1993, Ohio State has continued to retool as it looks to not only get back to that stage but to advance further this upcoming season.
Those moves have included a pair of significant additions from the transfer portal in former Duke guard Celeste Taylor and former Michigan State forward Taiyier Parks, both of whom have committed to Ohio State in recent weeks. At an OSU2U event on Thursday, head coach Kevin McGuff said the program has had some “really exciting things” happening in the spring, with Taylor and Parks’ addition among them.
“We added Celeste Taylor out of Duke, who’s going to be a graduate transfer,” he said. “She was first-team All-ACC this year and she was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, so we’re excited about that.”
Taylor figures to be an immediate starter for the Buckeyes, helping to replace Taylor Mikesell at shooting guard while continuing to improve Ohio State’s efforts on the defensive end as one of the best defenders in the country last season.
Ohio State’s play in the post saw struggles at points last season, and Parks’ addition helps to bolster the Buckeyes in that area. Forwards Rebeka Mikulasikova and Eboni Walker both spent time defending the paint last season, but Parks figures to immediately compete for playing time at the five.
“We just added Taiyier Parks, who was the starting center at Michigan State last year,” McGuff said. “She’ll provide us with some depth and some physicality around the basket.”
Those additions – as well as the return of guard Jacy Sheldon, who elected to come back for a fifth season with the Buckeyes – has McGuff looking forward to what Ohio State will put on the court this year as the team looks to build off last season.
“We’re really optimistic about the coming season and building on the success that we’ve had,” he said.
