Ohio State basketball player changes his mind and enters the portal

The Ohio State basketball program was putting together quite a nice offseason. They had gotten some key players to stay and had added some studs in the transfer portal. Jake Diebler landing center Aaron Bradshaw from Kentucky was a really solid move considering he was a former five-star recruit just a season ago.

Bradshaw was expected to back up Felix Okpara. Okapara had announced his return to Ohio State soon after the transfer portal window opened. There was even talk that both big men could start together. Things have now changed because Okpara has changed his mind and decided to enter the portal.

Ohio State basketball player Felix Okpara is now in the transfer portal.

Okpara leaves after starting for one year at Ohio State. He averaged 6.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks this past season for the Buckeyes. He also shot 58.6% from the field. While his defense definitely got better, he still fouled quite a bit. He averaged 2.9 fouls a game. That’s part of the reason he played less than 24 minutes a game.

So what does the Ohio State basketball team do now? Their center depth was already questionable even with Okpara in the lineup. Now they are back with just two centers on the entire roster. Diebler might have to keep looking in the portal for another center because they don’t have anyone who has played significant minutes at that position.

It’s unclear what made Okpara change his mind. Perhaps he didn’t realize how good Bradshaw was at first. Maybe someone contacted him and offered him a bag to leave. Maybe it’s a combination of both. All the Buckeyes know is that they are going to have to find someone else to fill his void.

Bradshaw now moves into a starter role on the depth chart. His talent would suggest he’s ready for that. We’ll have to see if that is actually the case.