Ohio State basketball: Roddy Gayle Jr. entering the transfer portal
Sophomore guard Roddy Gayle Jr. has entered the transfer portal after two seasons at Ohio State.
Ohio State’s third-leading scorer, Gayle shot 44.9% from the floor, 83.2% from the free-throw line and 28.4% from 3-point range. It was a significant step forward from a freshman season when Gayle averaged 4.6 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.9 assists while playing 16.3 minutes per game but came on late during the Big Ten Tournament.
Gayle started every game save for senior day in 2023-24, averaging 13.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 30.9 minutes per game while taking on a more significant role within the offense. He battled a wrist injury throughout the year, contributing to his drop in 3-point shooting percentage. After going 21 for 49 (42.9%) from 3 as a freshman, Gayle finished 29 for 102 as a sophomore. His two-point field-goal percentage grew, however, from 44.6% (41 for 92) as a freshman to 51.3% (140 for 273) as a sophomore.
"Roddy showed great toughness," coach Jake Diebler said after a season-ending loss to Georgia in the NIT quarterfinals. "Against Virginia Tech, for him to want to check back in the game and get cleared, that was certainly work with our medical team on that but he wanted that. Then he goes and makes a game-winning play essentially. Speaks to who he is, how much he cares about Ohio State, how committed he is to winning and how tough he is."
Gayle, who finished second on the team with 110 assists, has two years of eligibility remaining.
Ohio State Buckeyes: Join the Ohio State Sports Insider text group with Bill Rabinowitz, Joey Kaufman Adam Jardy
He was part of a 2022 recruiting class viewed as a cornerstone for the direction Ohio State wanted to take with Chris Holtmann in charge. The Buckeyes signed a five-man class that year featuring four players projected for immediate, significant roles: Felix Okpara, Brice Sensabaugh, Bruce Thornton and Gayle. Sensabaugh played his way into the NBA after his freshman season and Okpara and Thornton are committed to returning for their junior seasons.
Gayle follows Bowen Hardman and Scotty Middleton as the third player from the 2023-24 roster to enter the transfer portal.
Get more Ohio State basketball news by listening to our podcasts
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State's Roddy Gayle Jr. entering the transfer portal
