Ohio State Sophomore Forward Gabby Hutcherson Enters Transfer Portal

Ohio State sophomore forward Gabby Hutcherson announced Tuesday evening that she has decided to enter the transfer portal.

“I would like to say thank you (to Buckeye Nation) for the unwavering support the past two years. I would also like to thank the coaching staff for the opportunity to be here at this amazing university. I want to say thank you to my teammates for the constant support and love through the many hardships I have endured, I will never forget the sisterhood that we created. Thank you to my friends and family for always sticking by my side and always having my back no matter what, I love you all. Ohio will always be home but with that being said, I have decided to enter the transfer portal.”

Hutcherson leaves Ohio State having appeared in 36 games over two seasons, and averaged 3.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in just over 10 minutes per game last season

She scored a career-high 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting in Ohio State’s win over Mount St. Mary’s last season and tied her career-high of six rebounds on three occasions. She did not appear in Ohio State’s final six games of the season, spanning from its regular-season finale against Michigan State to the Buckeyes’ Sweet 16 loss to Texas.

The Westerville, Ohio, native was a five-star prospect coming out of high school and was a member of Ohio State’s 2020 recruiting class. Hutcherson was a legacy recruit for the Buckeyes, as her mom, Mindy Smith, played at Ohio State from 1987-90.

With Hutcherson’s transfer, Ohio State suddenly finds itself short on forwards heading into next season. Forward Tanaya Beacham graduated and rising junior forward Rebeka Mikulasikova (6-4) is listed as a forward but acts as the team’s de facto center in a guard-heavy lineup.

The only other players on the roster at six feet or taller are incoming freshman forward Cotie McMahon (6-0) and soon-to-be senior guard Hevynne Bristow, who is listed as a guard at 6-1.

Hutcherson’s transfer is the third of the offseason for this team, joining guards Kateri Poole and Anyssa Jones. This leaves Ohio State with several roster spots to add some forwards and some height in the transfer portal if head coach Kevin McGuff opts to do so.