7 New Faces in Columbus and Ohio State's Whole Season Is Already On The Line

Holy smokes, you guys! We just got hit with a ton of news from the Ohio State men's basketball program, and let me tell you, it’s got me thinking about what our own Emerald City squads are cooking up! Coach Jake Diebler faced the media after a few quiet weeks, and man, he had a LOT to unpack. We’re talking major staff shake-ups and a whole influx of new talent, seven incoming players to be exact! Diebler’s team went 21-13 last year, finishing eighth in the Big Ten, and yeah, they made it to the NCAA Tournament, their first since 2022. But let’s be real, that 66-64 first-round loss to TCU? Heartbreaker. It’s the kind of gut punch that makes you overhaul everything, right?

Diebler’s Coaching Crew Gets A Massive Overhaul

First up, the staff changes. Diebler didn't hold back. He immediately promoted Jamall Walker to associate head coach, and the coach’s words make it sound like Walker’s been crushing it. "He’s honestly had an associate head coach voice in our program since he got here," Diebler said. That’s big. Then there’s the return of Dave Richardson, back after nine years, as the strength and conditioning coach. You know how important that is for player durability, especially early in the season! And get this, former Ohio State star William Buford is joining as a program assistant. Bringing back your legends? Always a good look.

But the biggest splash? Diebler hired Mike Wells as an assistant coach. Wells isn't some traditional college guy; he’s got NBA experience and led the Adelaide 36ers to the finals! Diebler clearly wants to boost their offense, saying Wells will "help push us on the offensive side of the ball" and with "player development." Their efficiency numbers have been good, but Diebler wants them better. Sounds like a plan to me!

New Blood Ready To Make Noise

On the player front, Ohio State is bringing in seven new faces this month, three freshmen and four transfers. Imagine the energy! From the transfer portal, they’re bringing in forward Andrija Jelavic from Kentucky, plus guards Justin Pippen from Cal, Jimmie Williams from Duquesne, and Curtis Givens III from Memphis. That’s some serious talent from across the country.

The freshman class is stacked too, featuring McDonald’s All-American wing Anthony Thompson, who’s ranked seventh nationally in the 2026 class. Seriously, a McDonald's All-American! They also added forward Alex Smith and center Vuk Lazarevic. They’ve only got two returning starters, guard John Mobley Jr. and forward Amare Bynum, so these new guys are gonna have to step up fast. Josh Ojianwuna and Ivan Njegovan are back at center, with Braylen Nash and Tyler Herro returning as walk-on guards. It’s a major refresh, folks.

Diebler summed it up, "It’s been a busy spring, certainly in putting the roster together and finalizing the staff, but I’m really excited about where we are today and excited to get started." You gotta love that energy. With all these big moves, Ohio State is clearly pushing for a deeper run. It’s early, but the stakes are already sky-high with this much change. Can this revamped squad gel quickly enough to dominate the Big Ten? We’ll be watching to see if these new pieces are the real deal!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.