Today is signing day for men’s basketball and the Buckeyes signed all five of their 2022 commitments. Their class ranked first in the Big Ten and sixth nationally.
It’s a complete class for Ohio State as well, as the Buckeyes signed three guards, a forward, and a center. Four of the five signees are Top 75 players nationally.
Alpharetta, Georgia (Milton HS) point guard Bruce Thornton is the No. 6 player at his position nationally and the No. 41 player overall per the 247Sports Composite.
Mount Pleasant, Utah (Wasatch Academy) guard Roddy Gayle, Jr. is the nation’s No. 6 shooting guard and the No. 63 player overall.
Cincinnati, Ohio (Princeton HS) guard Bowen Hardman is the No. 9 player in the state, the No. 48 shooting guard in the class, and the No. 297 player overall.
Orlando, Florida (Lake Highland Prep) forward Brice Sensabaugh is the No. 21 small forward in the 2022 class and the No. 74 player nationally.
Branson, Missouri (Link Academy) big man Felix Okpara is the No. 50 player overall and the No. 11 center in the class.
“We are excited to officially welcome Roddy, Bruce, Bowen, Felix and Brice to our Basketball family,” Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann said in a release. “Not only will this group have a big impact on the court, but the collective character of these five fit our program and the University community perfectly. The future is bright for this class and it will serve as a foundational piece for the coming years of our program.”
Felix Okpara (6-11 215) is originally from Lagoa, Nigeria where he grew up as a soccer player. He moved to the United States in 2018 where he began playing basketball.
“Felix is another tremendous addition to our program,” Holtmann said in a release. “From the day we met Felix and his family, it was obvious that they are a tight knit group and we are thrilled to welcome them to our family. Felix provides length and athleticism like we haven’t had before at his position. His ability to impact the game on the defensive end of the floor is special, and we know his skill is continuing to improve because he is an elite worker. Buckeye Nation is going to love his personality and passion, and we can’t wait for him to put on the Scarlet and Gray.”
Brice Sensabaugh (6-6 235) is a smooth-shooting forward with size. He did not play as a junior due to injury but did average 17.9 points per game in the AAU EYBL (Nike Elite Youth Basketball League) this summer.
“Brice is a great addition to our Basketball family,” Holtmann said in a release. “Ohio State holds a special place in he and his family’s hearts, which was made obvious on their visit to Columbus. Brice is one of the best scorers in his class and his combination of size and skill make him a perfect fit for the Big Ten Conference. We are excited for the impact he will make on our program and we know that he is going to represent Buckeye Nation with great pride and passion.”
Bowen Hardman (6-3 175) was an Honorable Mention All-Ohio selection as a junior. He averaged over 15 points and 3 rebounds per game as a junior at Princeton High School. Hardman has a quick release and is comfortable running around screens looking for his shot.
“We are excited to officially welcome Bowen and his family to The Ohio State University and our basketball family,” Holtmann said in a release. “His ability to shoot the ball and create space on the floor make him a perfect fit in our system. He has the potential to really grow as a player as his strength improves each year. I know he can’t wait to put on an Ohio State uniform and begin to achieve his dreams of being a Buckeye.”
Roddy Gayle (6-4 195) is originally from Niagara Fall, New York where he was a two-time All-State selection. He was a double-figure scorer last season for Wasatch (10+ ppg) but averaged 25.8 points per game as a sophomore at Lewiston-Porter High School and 22 points as a freshman.
Gayle is a very good athlete and can finish above the rim.
“We want to officially welcome the Gayle family to Ohio State,” Holtmann said in a release. “Roddy fell in love with Ohio State after a visit to the Schottenstein Center against TTUN, and we have enjoyed getting to know him and his family since that day. Roddy is a gifted athlete with two-way potential that provides positional size and versatility on the perimeter. His heart for helping others though will be equally impactful in our community as it will be on the court! We’re looking forward to getting him to Columbus.”
Bruce Thornton (6-2 205) is a strong point guard who can push and shoot and find his teammates in a position to score. He led his Milton High School team to a state title last year and is a two-time All-State selection. As a junior he averaged 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists per game.
He averaged 5.7 assists per game this year in the EYBL, which was second-best league-wide.
“We are really excited to add Bruce to our program,” Holtmann said in a release. “During the recruiting process, we had a front row seat to his work ethic and his ability to impact winning at the highest level. Combine that with who he is as a person and the support around him, there is no doubt that he fits perfectly in the Scarlet and Gray. Bruce exemplifies the toughness, skill, and leadership combination that we look for in our guards and Buckeye Nation is going to love watching him.”