James Madison announced Wednesday that former Ohio State guard Hevynne Bristow will join the team as a graduate transfer after three seasons with the Buckeyes.
“Hevynne is a special player, person, and athlete,” said James Madison head coach Sean O’Regan. “She got to see us up close and in person when we played Ohio State in the NCAA tournament, and she could really see herself here with us. I have watched her since she was a junior in high school and her potential is off the charts. I’m super excited to get her on the court with us and help her get to where she belongs.”
Bristow, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., began her collegiate career at Providence, where she appeared in 29 games during her freshman season before transferring to Ohio State ahead of the 2020-21 season. Originally planning to redshirt her first season with the Buckeyes, Bristow wound up appearing in four games and scoring 5 points.
She played in 11 games the next season (with one start), averaging 3.2 points and 2.4 rebounds per game, but she played just 8.8 minutes per contest, struggling to consistently catch on in the rotation. She saw increases in essentially every statistical category this past season, averaging 3.6 points and 3.0 rebounds in 10.5 minutes per game, and hit double-digits on two occasions, including a career-high 11 points in a win over Wright State.
Ohio State was largely unable to find a role for her down the stretch, though, as she played in just four of their final nine games of the season with guard Jacy Sheldon back in the lineup after returning from her injury. Bristow will have one season of eligibility remaining as a graduate transfer. She is one of three Buckeyes to enter the portal this offseason, joining guards Kaitlyn Costner and Mya Perry, the latter announcing her transfer to Florida Atlantic on April 28.
With the outgoing transfers and additions of guard Celeste Taylor and forward Taiyier Parks, Ohio State is currently at 14 scholarships accounted for, though head coach Kevin McGuff has rarely utilized the full allotment of 15 scholarships afforded to women’s programs.
