Eric Boggs
Just as it seemed the dust was beginning to settle around Ohio State basketball’s offseason, news broke that forward Sean Stewart has entered the transfer portal. Stewart, a former five-star recruit, transferred to Columbus from Duke last offseason with high hopes, but his time in scarlet and gray will last only one season. Over the course of 30 appearances, Stewart averaged 5.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in just over 18 minutes per game—a solid contribution, though perhaps shy of the expectations many Buckeye fans had for his impact.
Stewart’s departure is the latest in a string of roster changes that have reshaped the Buckeyes this spring. The forward joins a growing list of players who have exited Columbus via the portal, including center Aaron Bradshaw, forward Evan Mahaffey, center Austin Parks, and guard Meechie Johnson. These losses underscore the challenges that head coach Jake Diebler faces in trying to stabilize a program that has seen significant roster churn over the past few seasons.
On the flip side, Diebler and his staff have made some notable additions to try and fill the voids. Indiana guard Gabe Cupps, Santa Clara center Christopher Tilly, and Wright State forward Brandon Noel have all committed to Ohio State through the transfer portal. Each brings a unique skill set, and the hope among Buckeye Nation is that this new core can mesh quickly and help reignite a program hungry for a resurgence.
With the spring transfer portal window closing at midnight Tuesday, further movement appears unlikely. The focus now shifts to developing the talent that remains and finding the right chemistry heading into the 2025–2026 season. For Ohio State fans, the goal is clear: a bounce-back campaign that restores pride and competitiveness to a storied basketball program.
