Ohio State’s frontcourt fix: Why the center rotation could define 2027

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - DECEMBER 09: Andrija Jelavic #4 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts against the North Carolina Central Eagles at Rupp Arena on December 09, 2025 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Ohio State’s late-season surge gave a glimpse of what the program can be when things click. The guards found rhythm, Amare Bynum emerged as a legitimate frontcourt piece, and the offense found balance. But even at its best, one issue never fully disappeared.

Interior consistency.

That is where next season’s roster looks different. Not because of one player, but because of three. Ohio State is quietly building a center rotation that offers something it has not consistently had in recent years, size, efficiency, and lineup flexibility. And at the center of it all is a player who did not play a single minute last season.

Josh Ojianwuna: The foundation Ohio State never had

Josh Ojianwuna’s importance starts with what he already proved before arriving in Columbus. At Baylor, he was not a project. He was a reliable, high-efficiency contributor who played in 87 games with 24 starts and steadily grew into a key piece of a high-major rotation.

NCAA Basketball: Baylor at Arizona State

His junior season showed the full picture. He averaged 7.4 points and 6.4 rebounds while shooting 77 percent from the field, an elite number that reflects both shot selection and finishing ability. That kind of efficiency is rare, and it defines his game.

Ojianwuna is a true interior presence. He scores almost exclusively at the rim, through rolls, cuts, and offensive rebounds. He does not need touches called for him. He thrives within the flow of the offense, which is exactly what Ohio State’s guard-heavy system needs.

The ACL injury that sidelined him and led to a redshirt season made him easy to forget, but it did not change what he is as a player. At around 6-foot-10 and over 230 pounds, he gives Ohio State a physical anchor, someone who can control space, rebound at a high level, and provide defensive stability inside.

That last part may be the most important. Ohio State has struggled at times with rebounding consistency and interior defense. Ojianwuna addresses both. His rebounding rate, over 10 boards per 40 minutes at Baylor, would have immediately ranked among the best on the roster.

He is not a star in the traditional sense. But he is the type of player who raises the floor of every lineup he is in. And for this team, that might matter more.

Andrija Jelavic: The stretch element and upside swing

If Ojianwuna provides the floor, Andrija Jelavic represents the ceiling.

The Kentucky transfer arrives as a very different type of center. At 6-foot-11, he brings size, but his game is not limited to the paint. Jelavic offers shooting touch, mobility, and offensive versatility that can stretch defenses in ways Ohio State’s frontcourt has not consistently done.

His production at Kentucky, 5.5 points and 4 rebounds in 15.6 minutes per game, does not fully capture his potential. His role was limited, but the flashes were there. He showed the ability to step out, hit perimeter shots, and operate in space, all traits that translate well to a more expanded role.

What makes Jelavic especially valuable is how he changes matchups. With him on the floor, opposing centers are pulled away from the rim. That opens driving lanes for Ohio State’s guards and creates more space for players like Bynum to operate inside. It also gives the offense a different look, one that can adapt depending on opponent and game flow.

There will be development required. Consistency, physicality, and defensive positioning are areas that will determine how large his role becomes. But the upside is real.

If Jelavic hits, he does not just complement Ojianwuna. He gives Ohio State a completely different dimension.

Ivan Njegovan: The depth piece that stabilizes everything

Then there is Ivan Njegovan, the piece that makes the entire rotation functional.

Njegovan may not carry the same profile or upside as the other two, but his role is just as important. He provides size, rebounding, and physical depth, allowing Ohio State to maintain its identity when rotations shift or foul trouble becomes a factor.

At his core, Njegovan is a traditional big. He rebounds, protects space, and plays within himself. Those traits may not generate headlines, but they matter over the course of a season, especially in the Big Ten, where physical frontcourts are the norm.

His presence also allows the coaching staff to be flexible. Ojianwuna does not have to play extended minutes in every situation. Jelavic can be deployed in more specialized roles. Njegovan gives the Buckeyes a baseline level of interior stability regardless of matchup.

And in a long season, that kind of reliability is critical.

The bigger picture: A rotation that changes everything

What makes this trio so important is not just individual talent. It is how they fit together.

Ojianwuna provides efficiency, rebounding, and interior defense. Jelavic brings spacing and offensive versatility. Njegovan adds rebounding, depth and physical consistency. Each fills a different role, and together they give Ohio State options it did not consistently have last season.

That flexibility matters. Against physical teams, Ohio State can lean into size and rebounding. Against faster lineups, it can stretch the floor. In close games, it can mix and match based on situation.

This is not about finding one perfect center. It is about building a rotation that can adapt. And when that works, it elevates everything else. The guards get cleaner looks, the offense becomes less predictable, and he defense becomes more stable.

The bottom line

Ohio State’s ceiling next season will not be determined only by its stars. It will be determined by how complete the roster is. This center trio is a big part of that equation.

If Josh Ojianwuna returns healthy and looks like the player he was at Baylor, he gives Ohio State the interior presence it has been missing. If Andrija Jelavic develops into a reliable stretch option, he adds a new layer to the offense. And if Ivan Njegovan provides consistent depth, the entire structure holds together.

Individually, they each matter. Together, they might define the team.