Ohio State’s basketball program is entering a pivotal phase as head coach Jake Diebler seeks to reshape the roster after a disappointing season that ended with a national championship game loss.
Diebler has already secured the commitment of two five‑star prospects, forward LJ Smith and guard Anthony Thompson, who will join the Buckeyes for the upcoming campaign.
Recruiting Momentum at Ohio State
The centerpiece of his recruiting drive is a scheduled visit by Brady Pettigrew, widely regarded as the nation’s top combo guard and the 14th‑ranked player overall, set for November 6.
A native of Bolingbrook, Illinois, Pettigrew stands 6‑3 and weighs 185 pounds, and his visit is part of a fall schedule that includes five official trips.
Diebler hopes the visit will culminate in a pledge that bolsters a recruiting class aimed at the 2028 cycle, even though the player remains several years away from signing.
The coach also benefits from an expanded name, image and likeness fund, which he believes will attract the kind of talent that can restore the program’s elite status.
Returning teammates John Mobley Jr. and Amare Bynum are expected to play key roles in determining how the new arrivals fit into the point guard and center positions.
The ultimate objective is to secure a top‑four seed in the Big Ten Tournament and to reposition Ohio State as a perennial contender on the national stage.