Oklahoma State transfer Isaac Likekele commits to Buckeyes

COLUMBUS — Ohio State is going back into the transfer portal to add another talented veteran.

Former Oklahoma State guard/forward Isaac Likekele committed to Chris Holtmann and the Buckeyes on Wednesday. He announced his decision on social media.

Likekele’s commitment to the Buckeyes fills out the final scholarship available for next season. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound combo player has just one year of eligibility remaining, but it can be a big one with Ohio State.

His commitment comes just after a visit with the Buckeyes program this week.

Likekele, a four-year starter and contributor for the Cowboys, averaged 8.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game during his career in Stillwater. More impressively, he became a defensive force in the Big XII and a staple in the Oklahoma State program.

Ohio State already went into the transfer portal for two huge additions, bringing in Wright State transfer guard Tanner Holden and West Virginia transfer guard Sean McNeil. Both players averaged double-digits in scoring for their schools a season ago, and they’ll be tasked with being two of the leading scorers for the Buckeyes next season.

Likekele won’t be asked to be a major scoring factor, although he can contribute on the offensive end. Likekele brings defensive pedigree to an Ohio State roster that certainly wasn’t good enough on defense a year ago. He can step in and provide a much-needed presence on that end of the floor.

With the addition of incoming freshmen Bruce Thornton, Brice Sensabaugh, Flex Okpara, Roddy Gayle Jr. and Bowen Hardman, Ohio State is quickly turning its roster over and filling up scholarship spots. Likekele fills the final scholarship piece for the Buckeyes this offseason, and the roster appears to be set heading into the summer.

Losing Malaki Branham and E.J. Liddell to the NBA isn’t easy for the Buckeyes. They’re trying to replace a lot of talent that is leaving the program. But Holtmann and his staff have been working hard to stay near the top of the Big Ten with a mix of youth and veterans.

“We’ve got a young group,” Holtmann said. “Hopefully if we can grow together and stay together, we’ll have a real chance.”

Likekele will be a part of that. He committed to Ohio State on Wednesday.