Eric Boggs
From a Buckeye’s perspective, it’s always bittersweet to see a homegrown player move on, but there’s a sense of pride when they continue their journey close to home. Former Ohio State center Austin Parks, a St. Marys, Ohio native, has committed to the University of Toledo to play out the remainder of his college basketball career. After two seasons in Columbus, Parks entered the transfer portal following the end of the 2024–25 campaign and will now look to make his mark in the MAC.
Parks saw limited minutes during his time with the Buckeyes, appearing in 24 games across two seasons. This past year, he played in 15 games, averaging 1.3 points and 0.9 rebounds in just over eight minutes per contest. Though his role was modest, his work ethic and team-first approach were always evident.
His decision to transfer came just two days after Ohio State’s season concluded on March 18. Parks is one of two centers to exit the program, alongside Aaron Bradshaw. Despite these departures, the Buckeyes are quickly reshaping their frontcourt. Head coach Jake Diebler has already reloaded, securing 7-foot Santa Clara transfer Christoph Tilly, who joins a promising group of big men including junior Sean Stewart, sophomore Ivan Njegovan, and incoming freshman A’mare Bynum.
Also joining the fold is Brandon Noel, adding further size and versatility to the rotation. Noel marks the third addition from the transfer portal this offseason, following the commitments of Indiana transfer guard Gabe Cupps and the aforementioned Tilly. These additions, paired with the return of key contributors, are strong indicators of a productive and strategic offseason under Diebler’s leadership.
As Ohio State continues to build around a talented core, fans can look forward to a reenergized roster with new faces ready to contribute. While Parks moves on, his Ohio roots and Buckeye foundation will surely follow him to Toledo.
