Coming into the 2024-25 Ohio State basketball season, it was uncertain who the second option would be after Bruce Thornton. Now that is clear after the first 11 games of the season as Devin Royal has emerged as a reliable go-to guy in the frontcourt.
In last night's win over Valparaiso, the sophomore had a career night for the Buckeyes. Royal led the way with 31 points connecting on 11 of his 16 shots and pulling down 15 rebounds.
This performance from the Ohio native is not just notable because it was a career-high for him. It’s also notable because it’s been 12 years since the last time a Buckeye posted a 30-point, 15-rebound game when All-American Jared Sullinger went for 30 points and pulled down 19 boards in 2010.
Royal’s skillset creates a lot of matchup problems for opposing defenses. He’s been elite at scoring the ball out of the post with his length and quickness. He also uses his quickness to get bigs defending him on the perimeter and drive past them with his handle.
Through 11 games this season, Royal has scored in double-figures in every game but two. Last season as a freshman he only saw 11.2 minutes per game and averaged 4.7 points per game. So far this year those numbers have skyrocketed up to 26.3 minutes per game, 15.6 points per game while shooting 61.1% from the field.
Royal has been a crucial piece for the Ohio State basketball team when the offense stalls at times, he can just go get a bucket when needed. The sophomore leap from Devin Royal is real and he’s a serious breakout candidate in the Big Ten.
Royal and the Ohio State basketball team will have their last test before conference play on Saturday when they take on #4 Kentucky in Madison Square Garden as a part of the CBS Sports Classic. It will be another test on the inside and force another big game out of the rising sophomore.