The basketball team for the upcoming year is still being built by head coach Jake Diebler and Ohio State University.
When Duquesne guard Jimmie Williams declared his commitment to the Buckeyes, Ohio State gained another seasoned member to its revamped backcourt. The 6-foot-5 Ohioan from Solon will experience a homecoming of sorts at this event. He wants to bring his all-around game and, more importantly, another tried-and-true scorer to a squad that still has a lot of unanswered questions during the offseason.
In what was his breakthrough year for Duquesne, Williams averaged 15. 1 points, 4. 5 rebounds, and 2. 6 assists. He made 33 appearances, hitting 46. 3% of his shots from the field and 33. 9% of his shots from beyond the arc. He was eventually chosen to the third team All Atlantic 10 based on his statistical profile. Williams, one of the most accomplished players at the junior college level and an NJCAA All-American, played for both South Florida and Wallace State before joining Duquesne.
Williams fills a clear gap for Ohio State. Many members of the Buckeyes squad that fell in the first round of the NCAA Tournament this past season have already been lost. As a result, Jake Diebler, the coach, still has a lot of work to do, particularly in the backcourt, in restructuring the squad. Although Ohio State has been able to recruit some talent, particularly Cal guard Justin Pippen and Kentucky forward Andrija Jelavic, if it wants to compete in the top tier of the Big Ten Conference next season, it still needs to bring in a lot more bodies.
Williams would provide the Buckeyes with an experienced player who is capable of rebounding, scoring, handling the ball, and generating turnovers, all of which are skills that Ohio State would appreciate.
Ohio State has gained a player in Williams who is familiar with the area and who has played and performed well at every level of collegiate basketball thanks to his choice to come back to his home state. Jake Diebler will have a crucial role in navigating one of the most significant portal periods of the modern era due to his experience and skills.
