In case you missed it — you know with all this social distancing and stay at home orders — we’ll remind you. Ohio State big man Kaleb Wesson has declared for the 2020 NBA Draft. And while there are all kinds of complexities because of what’s going on in the world today, it’s hard to imagine that he’ll pull back on that decision and come back two years in a row (more on that later).
In today’s world, losing players early is just a part of the juggling act head coaches must deal with, but at least losing Wesson was a very real possibility. Now, Chris Holtmann and staff will have to move on and there are some significant implications that losing the presence of the 6-foot, 9-inch leading scorer of the team.
Here are five things Wesson’s declaration for the NBA Draft mean for Ohio State.
NEXT … He may not REALLY be gone
Wesson could still come back for his senior season
I’ve seen some discuss Wesson’s legacy and what it means to lose a post-presence of his caliber. But remember, this isn’t a done deal yet. Under NCAA rules, a player can declare for the NBA draft and even hire a certified agent and still retain college eligibility.
That’s exactly the path Wesson is taking. He’ll go through the process, get feedback, maybe do a workout or two depending on if that’s possible during the COVID-19 health crisis, and then look to be drafted.
Until he doesn’t. Wesson could still pull the ultimate mulligan and not like where things are going and withdraw from the draft by June 3. If he were to do that, you could still see him in a scarlet and gray uniform next season.
But … I wouldn’t bank on it.
NEXT … An extra scholarship
Ohio State is now one under the thirteen scholarship limit
If Wesson does indeed keep his name in the draft and not come back to college, that opens up another scholarship to dole out for next season. It can all get a little tricky because you don’t want to be a body short while still trying to figure out how serious this foray with the NBA is.
Ohio State has already gotten some good news on the graduate transfer front with the addition of Seth Towns to the mix, but that put the program at the limit on scholarships. In recent days, it appears as though there is mutual interest between the Buckeyes and potential Santa Clara transfer Trey Wertz.
Now it appears there’s a scholarship to offer him or any other recruit/transfer on the market for next season. Again, as long as Wesson stays the NBA course.
NEXT … growth and development
It’s time for further development from E.J. Liddell and others
There are some big shoes to fill now. With Wesson potentially out of the mix, that means opportunity knocks for others. We saw E.J. Liddell begin to show flashes of what he can be, and now he’ll be counted on even more.
Behind Lidell though, there’s not a lot of depth on the front line. Seven-footer Ibrahima Diallo has the height, but is seen as more of a project. He needs to not only get stronger physically to be really productive in the rough and tumble Big Ten, but must also develop his offensive game.
It’s a problem that Ohio State has had to deal with before — length and depth on the post — and it looks like it’ll have to do something about it again, or completely change how this team looks on the offensive end.
NEXT … A smaller and quicker team
Ohio State may look far different style-wise next season
On the previous note, without height and girth on the blocks, Chris Holtmann may be forced to tinker with what this team looks like in 2020-2021. There is some length on the perimeter with the addition of Towns, the insertion of Justice Suing, and with what’s coming back. But we might see a much smaller and quicker lineup than what we’ve been accustomed to.
If Liddell ends up taking the official post position, he’s probably not going to be heading straight to the blocks to body up on someone. You could see more three and four-guard lineups surrounding a forward or two. You might see the floor stretched out with more space and driving lanes. You could even see things be a little more up-tempo depending on how things all shake out.
NEXT … The team might be better
It might be a good move for the team
Hear me out on this. By no way, shape or form do I say this to demean what Wesson has meant to this Ohio State program over the last three years. He was clearly very, very valuable and was the best scoring option.
But sometimes, having a guy like Wesson can also keep you from turning the page. For all the skill he provided on the offensive end, he’s had to work very hard to become better defensively. To his credit, he has shown great effort to get better and that shouldn’t be overlooked.
But now, if Wesson doesn’t come back, the team might turn into a team that is more exciting and more interchangeable across the board. Sometimes it felt like the offense tried too hard to play through the post with him in the game, now things might be a little more free and loose. Guys will have to develop, and there’s some athletic pieces with a lot of skill that can play multiple positions on the floor.
It’ll be interesting to see how the mold is recast if indeed the Kaleb Wesson era is over.
