Over the last couple of recruiting cycles, Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler has proven that he can recruit at a high level. He will have two five-star recruits leading the program this year, as both LJ Smith and Anthony Thompson will play. It's likely that both of them will start, too.
Diebler is trying to get the Buckeyes back to the level they were early on in Thad Matta's tenure. Accumulating the best talent in the country is the way to do that. Now, he has secured a visit from five-star combo guard Brady Pettigrew in the Fall.
Five-star recruit Brady Pettigrew to visit in November
According to Sam Kayser of League Ready, Pettigrew is going to visit Columbus on November 6th. It is one of five visits that he has locked in for the Fall. He will be visiting TTUN, Florida, Illinois, and Arkansas in addition to Ohio State. Only the Arkansas visit will occur after he sees the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Pettigrew is rated as the best combo guard in the country and the 14th-best player overall. He stands 6'3 and weighs 185 pounds and is from Bolingbrook, Illinois. Diebler identified him as someone he wants from the 2028 recruiting class, which is still a ways away.
Getting Pettigrew on campus for a football game and for some basketball practice is the best of both worlds. Allowing him to experience everything that campus has to offer is perfect. Diebler also has an increased NIL fund at his disposal, which will help him in his recruiting efforts.
The Buckeyes making the NCAA Tournament last year for the first time in four seasons also helps Diebler's recruiting case. If he can lead the Buckeyes to some tournament victories this season, that would really help get the team on the radar of other top recruits.
Jake Diebler needs some postseason success with the Buckeyes
After TTUN wont he national championship last season, Diebler is under pressure to start making some progress. With this being his third full season as the head coach, it's time for him to have some real expectations. That means advancing in the NCAA Tournament.
It also means competing for a top-four seed in the Big Ten Tournament. With the talent the team possesses, that is not out of the realm of possibility. John Mobley Jr. and Amare Bynum are back, and those are two key pieces from last year's starting lineup.
Figuring out the point guard and the center position will be Diebler's main task heading into training camp. He will have plenty of time to figure out how to use the five-star freshman. There's a chance Mobley is moved to point guard, and Smith starts at shooting guard. Thompson is almost a lock to start at small forward.
Getting the Buckeyes back on the national radar as a contender is something that Diebler is striving hard to do. He is doing his best on the recruiting trail to get players who want that kind of challenge. Pettigrew would be a great one to add.
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