Ohio State gets transfer portal commitment from Kentucky

TL;DR

Ohio State basketball has secured a commitment from Andrija Jelavić, a 6-foot-11 forward from Kentucky, as part of their roster retooling for next season. This marks the second transfer portal addition for the Buckeyes in consecutive days.

Ohio State basketball continues to be aggressive in retooling its roster for next season.

In an offseason that has had multiple players leave the team via the transfer portal, the Buckeyes have gotten commitments on back-to-back days to replenish the roster.

Andrija Jelavić, a 6-foot-11 forward from Kentucky, has committed to the Buckeyes, giving coach Jake Diebler a second portal addition in a busy start to the offseason. Jelavić averaged 5.5 points and four rebounds in 15.6 minutes per game as a sophomore for the Wildcats this past season, starting 20 of 32 games while shooting 47.7% from the field. He announced he was entering the transfer portal earlier in the week.

Jelavić brings frontcourt length and floor-spacing ability to an Ohio State team that is undergoing significant roster turnover after finishing 21-12 overall and 12-8 in Big Ten play last season. The Buckeyes earned an NCAA Tournament berth as a No. 8 seed before falling to TCU in the first round.

Ohio State’s portal activity has already reshaped the roster. Guard Justin Pippen, the former Michigan and Cal guard, and son of Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen, committed to the Buckeyes on Friday after averaging 14.2 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game at Cal. The Buckeyes also have lost several players to the portal, including Devin Royal, Taison Chatman, Gabe Cupps, and Colin White.

Jelavić gives Diebler another building block for his roster next season as the Buckeyes program looks to aggressively improve, especially seeing their arch-rival, the Michigan Wolverines, win the national championship.

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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Ohio State gets transfer portal commitment from Kentucky Wildcats

Q&A

Who is Andrija Jelavić and what are his stats from last season at Kentucky?

Andrija Jelavić is a 6-foot-11 forward who averaged 5.5 points and four rebounds in 15.6 minutes per game during his sophomore season at Kentucky, starting 20 of 32 games.

What impact will Andrija Jelavić have on Ohio State's basketball team?

Jelavić is expected to enhance Ohio State's frontcourt with his length and floor-spacing ability, contributing to the team's roster overhaul after a disappointing season.

What was Ohio State's performance in the last NCAA Tournament?

Ohio State finished the last NCAA Tournament as a No. 8 seed but was eliminated in the first round by TCU after a 21-12 overall season and a 12-8 record in Big Ten play.