Ohio State Targets Top Transfers for 2026 Roster

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As the annual NCAA Tournament concludes, the college basketball transfer portal has opened, and Ohio State is actively pursuing several high-profile players to bolster their 2026-27 roster. The Buckeyes have already seen several key contributors enter the portal, including starter Devin Royal and reserves Taison Chatman, Gabe Cupps, and Colin White. To replace this talent, Ohio State is targeting a starting-level point guard, a starting-level center, and additional bench depth.

Why it matters

The transfer portal has become a crucial part of the college basketball landscape, allowing teams to quickly reload their rosters and address specific needs. Ohio State's ability to land top transfer targets will be crucial to their success next season as they look to build on their recent tournament appearance.

The details

According to reports, Ohio State is pursuing several high-profile transfers, including guard Tamar Bates from Indiana, who averaged 16.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game as a freshman. The Buckeyes had previously recruited Bates out of high school, where he was a top-20 prospect. Ohio State is also in the market for a starting-level center and additional bench depth to round out their roster.

• The NCAA transfer portal opened on April 7, 2026.
• Ohio State players Devin Royal, Taison Chatman, Gabe Cupps, and Colin White all announced their intention to enter the transfer portal.

What they’re saying

What’s next

In the coming weeks, Ohio State will continue to actively recruit transfer targets, with the goal of filling their roster needs ahead of the 2026-27 season.