Ohio State basketball has picked up the biggest offseason win the program really needed for next season

TL;DR

Ohio State basketball guard John Mobley Jr. has withdrawn from the NBA Draft and will return for the upcoming season. His decision is crucial for the Buckeyes as they reshape their roster after a busy offseason.

Key points

John Mobley Jr. withdraws from NBA Draft
Mobley averaged 15.7 points per game last season
His return is crucial for Ohio State's NCAA Tournament hopes

John Mobley Jr.Ohio State BuckeyesNCAA Tournament

Mar 19, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard John Mobley Jr. (0) in the second half during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images The Ohio State basketball program has been waiting on John Mobley Jr.'s NBA Draft decision and the Buckeye has now made his call. The Ohio State basketball program has had a busy offseason, with the transfer portal and roster reshaping ahead of next season, following its first NCAA Tournament appearance in four years. Ohio State lost PG Bruce Thornton and C Christoph Tilly to graduation, but was able to return F Amare Bynum for his sophomore season as a key piece. After several additions through the transfer portal, the Buckeyes now have confirmation they'll be returning their second-leading scorer from last season.

John Mobley Jr. has made a decision on his Ohio State future

First reported by Jon Chepkevich of Draft Express, Ohio State G John Mobley Jr. has withdrawn his name from the NBA Draft process. Mobley had previously entered his name into the draft with the ability to withdraw and maintain his college eligibility. Mobley will return as the favorite to be Ohio State's leading scorer next season.

Updated to reflect today's official NBA memo.

Silent entrants added:

Alijah Arenas Jacob Cofie Kennard Davis Eian Elmer Gabe Dynes Colby Garland Isiah Harwell Paulius Murauskas Sebastian Rancik Francesco Ferrari

Non-entrants removed:

John Mobley Dai Dai Ames Terrence Brown

— Jon Chepkevich (@JonChep) April 27, 2026 During the 2025-2026 season, Mobley averaged 15.7 points, 2.8 assists, and 2.4 rebounds per game while making 3.1 three-pointers a game at a 41 percent clip. Mobley started all 31 games he played in and it was an improvement over his freshman season where he averaged 13.5 points per game as a newcomer. The 6-foot-1 Reynoldsburg native will likely start alongside to make up Ohio State's backcourt. Incoming five-star freshman Anthony Thompson and Bynum will man the forward spots. Expect Josh Ojianwuna or Kentucky transfer Andrija Jelavic to be the starting center. Getting Mobley back was the single biggest thing the Buckeyes had to do this offseason to be able to get back to the NCAA Tournament and try to make a run next season. Some good news in Columbus to start the week.

Q&A

What are John Mobley Jr.'s stats from the 2025-2026 season?

During the 2025-2026 season, John Mobley Jr. averaged 15.7 points, 2.8 assists, and 2.4 rebounds per game.

How does John Mobley Jr.'s return impact Ohio State's basketball team?

Mobley's return is vital for Ohio State as he is expected to be the leading scorer, helping the team aim for a successful NCAA Tournament run next season.

Who are the key players returning to Ohio State basketball next season?

Key returning players include John Mobley Jr. and Amare Bynum, alongside new additions like California transfer Justin Pippen.