Eric Boggs
Ohio State continues to expand its basketball reach beyond American borders, this time adding a rising international talent with the potential to make an immediate impact. On Tuesday, German guard Mathieu Grujicic committed to the Buckeyes, bringing with him a versatile skill set and elite-level experience for someone who’s still only 17 years old.
Grujicic played the majority of the past season with FC Barcelona II, the reserve team of one of Europe’s premier basketball programs. Competing in Spain’s fourth-tier professional league, he averaged 12.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2 assists over 21 games, shooting an impressive 48.5% from the field and 33.6% from beyond the arc. For a program like Ohio State, which prides itself on development and competition, adding a young, polished international player like Grujicic is a major win.
He didn’t just contribute in his regular league games—he shined on some of the biggest stages in youth basketball. He dropped 20 points in a single game appearance for Barcelona’s U19 squad—conveniently, the Spanish U19 national championship—and took home MVP honors. He also starred in the prestigious Adidas Next Generation Tournament, notching three 20-point outings and averaging 14.1 points across seven games. That performance earned him MVP honors at the Ulm qualifier and solidified his reputation as one of the best young players in Europe. Further cementing that status, he was named MVP of FIBA’s Basketball Without Borders Europe camp, featuring 60 top talents from across the continent.
While still developing, Grujicic already brings a blend of size and skill that fits perfectly into Ohio State’s evolving roster. At 6-foot-6, he has the length to back up sophomore Devin Royal at the wing, who is expected to shift down to small forward following Micah Parrish’s departure. With Wright State transfer Brandon Noel stepping into the power forward role, the Buckeyes now have a clearer picture of their rotation. Grujicic’s ability to handle the ball also gives head coach Jake Diebler flexibility behind starting guards Bruce Thornton and John Mobley Jr.
Ohio State’s depth continues to build with sophomore Colin White also in the mix on the wing, while Taison Chatman and Indiana transfer Gabe Cupps fortify the backcourt. Grujicic joins Myles Herro as part of the 2025 recruiting class, and he complements a transfer group that includes Noel, Cupps, Christoph Tilly from Santa Clara, and Josh Ojianwuna from Baylor.
For Ohio State fans, this commitment shows that the Buckeyes aren’t just looking to compete—they’re looking to win with a global mindset. While programs like Michigan are stuck scrambling to manage headlines, the Buckeyes are quietly stacking a roster that blends proven college talent with international promise. The addition of Grujicic may fly under the radar nationally, but in Columbus, it signals something much bigger: a team preparing to contend.
