Ohio State basketball program lands five-star transfer commit

The Ohio State basketball program took advantage of the Spring Game on Saturday. While the football program was showing the country its roster, the basketball team was hosting a big-time transfer portal player. Jake Diebler hosted Aaron Bradshaw, a center from Kentucky who entered the portal once John Calipari left for Arkansas.

Bradshaw was a five-star recruit in the 2023 recruiting class. He was the fourth-best player overall and the best center in the class. He played less than 14 minutes a game for the Wildcats in his freshman season and is looking for more at his next stop. We know where that next stop will be now.

Aaron Bradshaw commits to the Ohio State basketball program

After visiting Columbus this past weekend, the 7’1 center has decided to transfer to Ohio State. It’s another massive win for Diebler in his first year as a head coach. He landed his first five-star recruit not that long ago. Now, he gets an instant-impact player who gives the Buckeyes more depth at the center position.

In just a short time, Diebler has already done more than Chris Holtman ever did on the recruiting trail. Holtmann never landed a five-star recruit nor did he ever land a five-star transfer recruit. The worry about Diebler when he took over on a full-time basis was his recruiting ability. Those worries can be put to bed now.

Ross Bjork’s commitment to NIL certainly helps with this. It’s unclear how much NIL money the basketball program has used in the last few weeks, but I know it’s not zero. Diebler has embraced NIL and has also sold all of the other resources that Ohio State can offer recruits. It seems to be working.

Bradshaw will fight with Felix Okapara for the starting center position next season. There’s a chance we can see them on the court at the same time in certain matchups as well.