Eric Boggs
Ohio State has secured a crucial addition to its roster with the commitment of Christoph Tilly, a 7-foot, 240-pound center from Germany, via the transfer portal. Tilly, who spent last season at Santa Clara, averaged an impressive 12.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, earning second-team All-WCC honors. His arrival fills a major need for the Buckeyes, particularly in the frontcourt, following the departure of Aaron Bradshaw. With one year of eligibility remaining, Tilly is expected to be a key contributor and a likely starter at center, providing Ohio State with much-needed production on both ends of the floor.
Tilly was ranked as the seventh-best center in the transfer portal by 247Sports, and his rebounding numbers stand out. He averaged 8.8 rebounds per 40 minutes last season, a figure that would have ranked third among Buckeyes who logged at least 10 minutes per game. His efficiency around the rim is another significant asset, as he shot 61.7% from two-point range while also showing some perimeter potential, going 17-of-54 (31.5%) from beyond the arc. Tilly is set to share minutes with Sean Stewart and Ivan Njegovan, both of whom return for their second seasons with Ohio State.
The Buckeyes are expected to continue adding pieces through the transfer portal, with a focus on acquiring another wing to finalize the starting lineup alongside Tilly, Devin Royal, John Mobley Jr., and Bruce Thornton. The departure of Meechie Johnson Jr. marks another shift for the program, as the former Buckeye guard transfers to South Carolina for the second time in his career. Johnson, who originally played for Ohio State from 2020-22 before transferring to South Carolina, returned to Columbus for the 2024-25 season but was sidelined after December 14 due to mental health struggles. He averaged 9.1 points and 2.7 assists per game in his 10 appearances but struggled with efficiency, shooting just 35.6% from the field. Now, he will play his final season with the Gamecocks, pending NCAA approval of a medical hardship waiver.
Meanwhile, the center position has undergone significant turnover for the Buckeyes. With Austin Parks entering the transfer portal in March and Bradshaw following suit, Ohio State has lost two key frontcourt players. Bradshaw, a former five-star recruit who transferred in from Kentucky, was unable to meet expectations during his lone season in Columbus. Despite being a 7-foot-1 prospect with significant potential, he struggled with physicality in the Big Ten and saw his production decline. He averaged just six points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks per game while missing 10 games due to an investigation and illness. His rebounding rate also took a hit, dropping from 9.6 rebounds per 40 minutes at Kentucky to just 6.5 at Ohio State.
With the departures of Parks and Bradshaw, the Buckeyes’ center rotation currently consists of Tilly, Stewart, Njegovan, and incoming freshman A’mare Bynum. Head coach Jake Diebler is entering his second season at the helm and will likely prioritize adding another big man to bolster the depth in the paint. Additionally, Ohio State has already secured former Indiana guard Gabe Cupps from the transfer portal, joining a backcourt that features Thornton, Mobley Jr., Taison Chatman, and incoming freshman Dorian Jones.
The Buckeyes’ roster continues to take shape as they look to solidify a competitive lineup for the 2025-26 season. With a strong core returning and key additions from the portal, Ohio State is positioning itself for a promising campaign under Diebler’s leadership.
