Devin Royal Enters Transfer Portal After 3 Seasons at Ohio State

The Buckeyes' third-leading scorer last season will leave the program.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 7:07pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball player's movements broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in shades of red, gold, and navy blue, conveying the dynamic energy and uncertainty of a player's transfer.Devin Royal's departure from Ohio State leaves a void in the Buckeyes' lineup as the program looks to rebuild for the future.Columbus Today

Forward Devin Royal, who was Ohio State's third-leading scorer this past season with 13.7 points per game, has entered the transfer portal for his final year of eligibility. Royal, a four-star recruit and Ohio's 2023 Mr. Basketball, played three seasons with the Buckeyes and surpassed 1,000 career points. He started all 32 games he played in this season and led the team in rebounding the last two years.

Why it matters

Royal's departure is the first for Ohio State in the transfer portal this offseason. As a key contributor for the Buckeyes, his decision to leave the program is a significant loss for the team as they look to rebuild after a first-round NCAA Tournament exit.

The details

Royal, a 6-foot-6 forward, was the lone junior on Ohio State's roster this past season. In the Buckeyes' 66-64 NCAA Tournament loss to TCU on March 19, he scored 14 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. The transfer portal officially opens on April 7, allowing Royal to explore options for his final collegiate season.

  • Royal played three seasons with the Buckeyes.
  • He surpassed 1,000 career points this past season.
  • The transfer portal opens on April 7, 2026.

The players

Devin Royal

A four-star recruit and Ohio's 2023 Mr. Basketball, Royal was Ohio State's third-leading scorer this past season, averaging 13.7 points per game.

Ohio State Buckeyes

The men's basketball team at Ohio State University, which lost in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

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What’s next

The transfer portal officially opens on April 7, 2026, allowing Royal to explore options for his final collegiate season.

The takeaway

Royal's decision to enter the transfer portal represents a significant loss for the Ohio State men's basketball program, as he was a key contributor over the past three seasons. His departure highlights the increasing fluidity of the college basketball landscape as players seek new opportunities in their final year of eligibility.