Ohio State Buckeyes: E.J. Liddell to enter NBA Draft

Liddell said he will maintain his eligibility, meaning he could pull his name from the draft and return to the Buckeyes next season.

That has become increasingly common for players in recent years since a rule change made it possible.

“I’m giving everything and option, honestly,” he said last week during a video conference with reporters, “but as of right now I’m just taking a little time away from basketball, just get back to my regular life. Hopefully I can go home and see my family pretty soon and we’ll be able to discuss things then.”

A sophomore forward from Belleville, Ill., Liddell scored 16.2 points per game and led Ohio State with 6.7 rebounds per game.

He shot 47.4 percent from the floor and added the occasional 3-pointer to his repertoire, making 27 of 80 (33.8 percent) from beyond the arc.

Earlier Wednesday, junior guard Musa Jallow announced he is entering the transfer portal after averaging 15.6 minutes per game mostly off the bench last season.

Ohio State could return most of its key players from last season, but it remains to be seen how much the roster might change.

Ohio State has already added graduate transfer Jamari Wheeler and could add a veteran big man from the transfer market before all is said and done.