Aaron Bradshaw transferring from Kentucky to Ohio State
Ohio State men’s basketball coach Jake Diebler landed a big fish today with a commitment from Kentucky transfer Aaron Bradshaw. The 7-foot Bradshaw was the nation’s No. 5-ranked prospect in the 2023 class, according to 247Sports.com.
Bradshaw entered the transfer portal last Monday, just as news that Kentucky coach John Calipari was leaving Big Blue Nation to become the new head coach at Arkansas. He came to campus on Saturday before departing late Sunday. He announced the commitment on Instagram:
He played in 26 of Kentucky’s 33 games with 10 starts. He averaged 13.8 minutes, 4.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.7 blocked shots per game. He shot 58 percent from the floor (49 of 85). He was in double figures seven times with high games of 17 points against Penn and 15 points and five rebounds against Arkansas.
Bradshaw is a native of Camden, N.J., and starred on the travel circuit with the New Jersey Scholars program in the Nike EYBL.
According to sources, Bradshaw is on board with playing alongside OSU junior-to-be Felix Okpara. The 6-11 Okpara averaged 6.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocked shots per game. They figure to be joined on the roster in the center/post position group by 6-10 sophomore-to-be Austin Parks.
Bradshaw is the latest addition to the OSU program for Diebler. Former OSU guard Meechie Johnson will return to the roster after spending the last two seasons at South Carolina. Diebler also got a commitment from 2026 guard Marcus Johnson, Meechie’s cousin and the highest rated Ohio prospect in his class, earlier this month.
The Buckeyes have lost four players to the portal in guards Roddy Gayle Jr., Bowen Hardman and Scotty Middleton and center Zed Key. Most of the rest of the roster has committed to returning for 2024-25, including Okpara, point guard Bruce Thornton, guard Taison Chatman and forward Devin Royal.
Here is what 247Sports.com’s Adam Finkelstein wrote about Aaron Bradshaw upon him entering the transfer portal:
“Aaron Bradshaw was viewed as the top center prospect in the national class of 2023. He was 7-feet plus, mobile, and athletic with good hands, a soft touch that extended out to the three-point line, and shot-blocking ability. Production didn’t always live up to his potential though, with his motor and physicality both being clear works-in-progress during his high school years.
“It was more of the same this year at Kentucky, especially after his transition to the college game was impeded by an injury that cost him the first few weeks of the season. While he made an immediate impact upon returning in early December, he saw his role diminish as the season went on. He finished the season averaging just 4.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 13.8 minutes per night.
“While there is unfortunately now a pattern of underachieving, what is debatable is how much of that is contextual, after playing on teams built around DJ Wagner throughout high school. What remains undeniable is that Bradshaw’s ceiling remains high if he ever fully commits himself to maximizing his potential. There just aren’t many seven-footers who can space the floor vertically and with their shooting while simultaneously being able to protect the rim and move their feet laterally.”
With Bradshaw’s commitment, OSU still has room for two more transfer players to complete the 2024-25 roster.
Princeton guard Matt Allocco, a Hilliard Bradley product, was on campus this past weekend for an official visit. He may still take one more visit before deciding. He was looking primarily at OSU, Notre Dame, Butler and Villanova.
The Buckeyes are likely looking at a forward who can stretch defenses to round out the roster. Here was our look at some key transfer portal prospects from earlier in the week. Stay tuned for more OSU basketball recruiting coverage in the days ahead.
