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Ohio State basketball: Three players that need to make a jump next season

By Jacob Rhymer

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 11: Head coach Chris Holtmann of the Ohio State Buckeyes talks with Bruce Thornton #2 against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament at United Center on March 11, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 11: Head coach Chris Holtmann of the Ohio State Buckeyes talks with Bruce Thornton #2 against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament at United Center on March 11, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Felix Okpara might have the rawest potential of any Ohio State basketball player. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Felix Okpara might have the rawest potential of any Ohio State basketball player. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Felix Okpara

The third rising sophomore mentioned returns as the backup center behind Zed Key for the Ohio State basketball team. Felix Okpara had a really good freshman season given the circumstances. He gave the Buckeyes a handful of strong performances when Key went down with a season-ending injury.

Okpara went up against some of the best big men in the country last season including National Player of the Year Zach Edey from Purdue and First Team All-American Trayce Jackson-Davis from Indiana. Despite being a freshman, Okpara made it very difficult games offensively for two of the best big men in the country.

A strength that can help Okpara continue to advance his game is his length. His length gives him the potential to become one of the greatest rim protectors in Ohio State basketball history. He also gives the Buckeyes a chance on the boards, which is something they’ve been needing for many years.

Something Okpara needs to do to improve his game is developing a jump shot. A center with his height and length could be really lethal offensively with a jumper. Even just from the free throw line extended is enough to make opposing defenses adjust their game plan.

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If all three of these players improve each of their games this off-season, along with the recruiting class coming in, the Buckeyes could have a pretty tough basketball team this upcoming season.

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