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Ohio State’s 2019-20 recruiting class is one to watch

By Matt Ward

COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 21: Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Kevin McGuff talks to his team during a timeout during the second half of a regular season Big 10 Conference basketball game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Ohio State Buckeyes on February 21, 2018 at the Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 21: Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Kevin McGuff talks to his team during a timeout during the second half of a regular season Big 10 Conference basketball game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Ohio State Buckeyes on February 21, 2018 at the Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Ohio State lands four top-50 recruits in the 2019 class

After finishing the 2018-2019 season with a sub .500 record at 14-15, head coach Kevin McGuff and the Ohio State Buckeyes are looking like a team that could make a huge leap in the seasons to come, and as early as next season.  They may do this even without a senior on the roster.

Their current 2019-2020 roster consists of three juniors, three sophomores, and seven freshmen. They return their leading scorer in sophomore forward Dorka Juhasz, who averaged double-digits for the Buckeyes. They also return do-it-all point guard, sophomore Janai Crooms. Crooms — whose playing time and production both increased tremendously as the season progressed — is a triple-double threat and is poised for a breakout season in the Big Ten.

MADISON, WI – FEBRUARY 28: Ohio State University guard Janai Crooms (3) tries to get past Wisconsin guard Kelly Karlis (2) during a women’s college basketball game between the University of Wisconsin Badgers and the Ohio State University Buckeyes on February 28, 2019 at the Kohl Center in Madison, WI. (Photo by Lawrence Iles/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MADISON, WI – FEBRUARY 28: Ohio State University guard Janai Crooms (3) tries to get past Wisconsin guard Kelly Karlis (2) during a women’s college basketball game between the University of Wisconsin Badgers and the Ohio State University Buckeyes on February 28, 2019 at the Kohl Center in Madison, WI. (Photo by Lawrence Iles/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The only other player returning that averaged double-digit minutes per game is sophomore Aaliyah Patty.

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With the youth movement in Columbus comes one of the top recruiting classes in the country, as the Buckeyes landed four top-50 recruits and five in the top 100, according to ESPN.

The class is led by Kierstan Bell (No.8), an extremely gifted offensive creator and versatile player at the guard position.  Rikki Harris (No.24) and Jacy Sheldon (No. 42) — both guards — are also set to come to Columbus this fall.

The Buckeyes got a recent commitment from Madison Greene (No.59). Greene is a smaller guard at 5-7, and has terrific handle, while really excelling in transition. Kaelynn Satterfield (No. 88) is a 6-0 wing that is a strong, physical player that attacks the basket and finishes well.

The Buckeyes also added Oklahoma State graduate transfer Braxtin Miller, and international prospects Aixa Wone, a 6-2 forward from Spain, and Rebeka Mikulasikova, a 6-3 forward from Slovakia.

The Buckeyes have added a great mix of quickness, size, versatility, and a ton of talent.  It will be a challenge for Coach McGuff to figure out the best pace and how he wants to play with so many new pieces, but this is going to be a fun team to watch, especially as the season progresses.

All in all, this will be a new-look Buckeye team come this November.  While the Buckeyes may not be expected to compete at the top of the Big Ten right away–with eight new players and no seniors–don’t be surprised to see Coach McGuff have them there very soon.

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