Ohio State basketball has been very active in the transfer portal and is giving fans reasons to be optimistic about the upcoming season. The recent addition of Wright State transfer Brandon Noel is one of the more underrated ones.
The 6-8, 240-pound forward, who committed to the Buckeyes on April 8, brings a proven track record unlike some of the additions made through the portal last year. Recently, NBA Skills Coach Reid Ouse added to the excitement by endorsing Noel on X with a video showcasing Noel’s training. Ouse’s endorsement is a great sign for Buckeye fans, as his extensive experience and reputation in basketball development makes Noel’s arrival even more highly anticipated than it already was.
Ouse is no entry-level trainer. He has seven seasons of experience as a college basketball coach in the Midwest. Ouse also built a strong foundation in player development before transitioning to full-time skills training. He co-founded the New Jersey Hoop School with world-renowned trainer DJ Sackmann in New York City by working with elite high school talents.
Ohio State fans should be fired up about Brandon Noel's future with the team
Since returning to Minnesota in 2017 to launch Catalyst Training, Ouse has worked with over 200 professional players, including college basketball, NBA, and WNBA stars like Andrew Wiggins, Paige Bueckers, and Johni Broome. Ouse's expertise is undeniable as a nationally recognized clinician who speaks at coaching clinics alongside top NBA and college coaches. His endorsement of Noel signals that the Buckeyes have landed a player with the potential to make a significant impact in the Big Ten.
Noel’s resume also gives Ouse a strong foundation with which to work. A Lucasville, Ohio native, Noel earned All-Horizon League honors in each of his three seasons at Wright State, including Second Team honors in 2024 and 2025 and Third Team in 2023. Named the Horizon League Freshman of the Year in 2022-23, he averaged 15.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists over 97 games, starting 90.
Last season, Noel posted a career-high 19.0 points per game, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting an impressive 55.2% from the floor and 35.8% from three-point range. He is a consistent player with scoring prowess having had 29 career double-doubles and 31 games with 20 or more points. A key for Noel this upcoming season will be his physicality, maintaining 37% career three-point shooting, and ability to handle the Big Ten’s superior talent.
Noel is a key addition by Jake Diebler and his staff to address Ohio State’s needs after last season. The Buckeyes struggled offensively last season, often relying heavily on point guard Bruce Thornton, sharpshooter John Mobley Jr., and forward Devin Royal. Noel’s ability to create offense, both on the block and driving to the basket, adds a new dimension. He is a better post scorer than some give him credit for, with an arsenal of various post moves and a strong ability to finish at the rim.
All of this while his 35.8 percent 3-point shooting as a junior, particularly on elbow threes, stretches defenses. Off the ball, Noel will be a key piece in implementing more pick-and-roll situations as he is a strong roller and a cutter, pairing well with Thornton and Mobley. His passing ability, with a knack for reading double teams and finding open teammates in high-low situations, should help Ohio State avoid the scoring droughts that plagued them last year. With center Christoph Tilly and Noel, the Buckeyes’ frontcourt is significantly bolstered, addressing a key deficiency from the 2024-25 season..
The current roster for Ohio State is nearly set, but the Buckeyes are not done yet. With at least one scholarship spot open, the Buckeyes are in pursuit of Texas Tech’s Darrion Williams, who is emerging as a top target. Ranked as one of the best available players in the transfer portal, Williams averaged 15.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists last season. Ohio State, Kansas, and NC State are reportedly in the mix if Williams withdraws from the NBA Draft by June 15. Landing Williams could elevate the Buckeyes’ starting lineup to elite status, with Thornton, Mobley, Royal, Noel, and Tilly already forming a strong core.
Ouse’s endorsement, combined with Noel’s proven production and fit within Ohio State’s system, gives fans a much better outlook on this team than they ended the season with. As Diebler works to finalize the roster, potentially with a high-profile addition like Williams, the Buckeyes are poised to take a significant leap in 2025-26. For now, Noel’s arrival is a clear sign that Ohio State is building a team capable of competing in the Big Ten and in the NCAA Tournament.