Ohio State fifth-year guard Taylor Mikesell was honored during Senior Night on Friday, recognized prior to her final regular-season game with Ohio State.
Mikesell — along with student managers Joe Gryboski and Gaby Schorling — were highlighted prior to the opening lineups, receiving a framed jersey and flowers from head coach Kevin McGuff before a raucous ovation from those in attendance for the game.
In addition to the jersey, a video was played on the jumbotron at Value City Arena with Mikesell’s teammates talking about the impact she has had on them in her two seasons with Ohio State, though she said after the game that the feeling was mutual.
“Really cool to see the impact I’ve had on them, and they don’t know the impact they’ve had on me,” she said. “Coming back here, having them support me every day, has meant a lot.”
Mikesell transferred to Ohio State prior to the 2021-22 season after a season at Oregon and two seasons at Maryland, the team that she ultimately ended her regular-season career against.
Though there are still games left to play with the Buckeyes, Mikesell has already surpassed 1,000 points for Ohio State (as well as 2,000 for her career) and has notched the sixth-most three-pointers in program history with 207 at the conclusion of the regular season.
Several on the list ahead of her are within reach, including Brittany Johnson (216) and Katie Smith (218). Furthermore, her 44.1 percent shooting from deep is second in program history behind Cheryl Perozek’s 45.8 percent shooting, but her impact will be felt off the court just as much as it is on the floor.
“She’s been incredible,” McGuff said. “She’s incredibly impactful. You see what she does on the court, but more importantly — especially this year, in her second year — she’s a great leader.”
Mikesell — a native of Massillon, Ohio — said it meant a lot for her to be able to return home for her final seasons of college basketball.
“Coming back home meant a little more to me after having made it through what I made it through,” Mikesell said. “(I’m) just thankful for McGuff and the coaching staff for taking me in, kind of not really knowing the baggage I had coming in mentally or even if I was going to be able to play the year I came in. Credit to him and the rest of the coaching staff for bringing me in here.”
