Ohio State’s men’s basketball squad is embarking on an eight‑day journey that will take them from Columbus to Miami and then on to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where they will play two exhibition matches against teams identified as Equipo 1 and Equipo 2 on August 2 and 3.
Third‑year head coach Jake Diebler says the trip is designed to give the 14‑man roster a chance to gel before the rigors of regular‑season practice, and he plans to rotate players liberally to evaluate each participant.
Among the returning standouts, forward Amare Bynum looks to build on a freshman season that saw him average 9.7 points and 4.9 rebounds while improving his three‑point shooting, and guard John Mobley Jr. is expected to pair with Justin Pippen in the backcourt.
The roster also welcomes a wave of transfers — including Ivan Njegovan, Josh Ojianwuna, Andrija Jelavic and Vuk Lazarevic — and five‑star freshmen Anthony Thompson and LJ Smith, who are projected to be key contributors in the 2026‑27 campaign.
The departure of Bruce Thornton, the program’s all‑time leading scorer and four‑time captain, leaves a void that the new arrivals hope to fill, while players such as Jimmie Williams, Curtis Givens III and Brice Sensabaugh add depth at wing and guard.
A Test Before the Season
Alongside the newcomers, veterans such as Williams Buford and B.J. Mullens remain on the roster, offering experience as the team experiments with larger backcourt and frontcourt combinations.
The exhibition games will serve as the first real gauge of how the new‑look team fits together, setting the tone for what coach Diebler hopes will be a competitive season.