Ohio State Basketball Sets Official Visits for Seven 2027 Prospects
With the start of the 2027 recruiting cycle, Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler and his staff have scheduled official visits for seven prospects. The Buckeyes have yet to secure a verbal commitment in the class, and the early signing period begins November 11, giving the program a defined window to add to its future roster.
One player originally expected to be part of the 2027 class, guard LJ Smith, has reclassified and will join the team as a freshman this season, according to Sports Illustrated and Yardbarker. That move leaves the Buckeyes with room to pursue multiple players in the upcoming cycle.
The first visit on the calendar belongs to Jaydn Jenkins, a 6'10" big man from Pennsylvania who arrives in Columbus on August 26. Jenkins is described as a formidable presence under the basket, capable of backing down smaller defenders with controlled power or rolling to the rim after setting screens. He is also considering Michigan State, Xavier, Georgetown, and NC State.
Two days later, Joshua Tyson, a 6'2" guard from West Chester, Ohio, will make his visit. Tyson, who hails from a short drive from Columbus, is characterized as a gifted playmaker who can dictate the flow of a game and provides a solid three-point option in transition. He is also looking at Cincinnati, Michigan State, Virginia Tech, and Xavier, and has expressed a preference for a winning, family-oriented program.
Deng Ngor, a 6'8" wing from Ontario, Canada, brings international experience to his recruitment. He led Canada to a 67-65 victory over the USA in the FIBA U18 AmeriCup Final in June, contributing 15 points and 3 steals, and averaged 10.2 points and 4 rebounds in the tournament. Ngor is also considering Duke, Florida, and Washington.
Antonio Pemberton, a 6'1" guard from Massachusetts, is planning eight visits, including Ohio State. He averaged 26.4 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds in 11 games at the adidas ABCD Camp and 3SSB Camp for Mass Rivals. His other schools include Tennessee, UCLA, Michigan State, Creighton, Kansas, Marquette, and Boston College.
Jason Gardner Jr., a 6'1" guard from Indiana, is scheduled to visit on October 3. He is described as one of the quickest players in the country with the ball in his hands.
MJ Curry, a 6'5" guard from Georgia, will visit on October 10, during Ohio State's football weekend against Maryland. He is also visiting Georgia Tech and TCU.
Geren Holmes, a 6'4" guard/forward from North Carolina who is a native of Ohio, will visit in the first week of November, during the Buckeyes' football clash with Oregon. He has already visited Vanderbilt and will be joined on his Ohio State visit by fellow guard Brady Pettigrew.
As the visits unfold, Ohio State's coaching staff will look to build on its 2027 class, with the early signing period providing the first opportunity for prospects to make their commitments official.