A year ago, Ohio State 7-footer Trevor Thompson declared for the NBA draft but did not sign with an agent. After testing the waters, he ultimately decided to return. A year later, he's decided to declare again, but it sounds like this time, he's gone for good, as Thompson told ESPN's Jeff Goodman that he's forgoing his senior year.
In what was a disappointing year for the Buckeyes, Thompson was a bright spot, showing great improvement. He averaged 6.5 points and 5.1 rebounds as a sophomore but increased those numbers dramatically, scoring 10.6 points and pulling down 9.2 boards a game. He was second in the Big Ten, behind only player of the year Caleb Swannigan of Purdue, in double-doubles.
His departure is not a surprise. In fact former Buckeyes and Bucksline analysts Scoonie Penn and Tony White, on Monday night's Bucksline show, both said they believed Thompson was gone. Whether he's ready for an NBA roster remains to be seen.
While his leaving is certainly a blow, it does solve a potential problem of playing time in the post. Micah Potter will be a sophomore next year, and the Buckeyes top recruit is Kaleb Wesson out of Westerville South, who also will play down low. It's doubtful Ohio State would have been able to play more than one of them on the floor at the same time. It also could give Thad Matta an extra scholarship should he find a player in the spring signing period. A year ago, after the rash of transfers, Matta landed JUCO guard C.J. Jackson.