We’re kicking off a G.O.A.T series for Ohio State basketball just like we did late in the summer with football. People got into it and we got the debate going, so with Buckeye basketball right around the corner, we decided, why not? Each piece will identify the top four at each historical position.
First up, we’ll take a look at the shooting guard position.
Every great basketball team needs guards that can handle the ball and act as a scoring threat when all else breaks down. Ohio State has had its fair share of great guards, some of which have been named national players of the year and others that probably should have gotten more recognition nationally than they did.
Here’s the top four guards in Ohio State history as judged by our staff at Buckeye Wire.
Next … A versatile guard from Toledo
Jimmy Jackson (1989-1992)
Jackson is one of the most beloved figures in Ohio State basketball history. He was one of the most ballyhooed recruits ever to come to Columbus when he made his way to campus in 1989. He didn’t disappoint.
The 6-6 shooting guard was plugged into the starting lineup as a true freshman, averaging 16.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game straight-out-of- the-box.
Jackson would go on to make first-team All-American his sophomore and junior years, and was named the UPI National Player of the Year in 1992.
Ohio State retired his No. 22 in 2001.
Next … POY and Michigan enemy No. 1
Evan Turner (2008-2010)
Perhaps no player during the Thad Matta era improved more than Evan Turner. To hear the former head coach tell the story, he had to threaten to throw Turner out of practice at times before he finally got things under control and learned to temper his emotions.
At 6-7, Turner could create his own shot and often put the team on his back. He averaged just 8.5 points per game his freshman year, but that jumped to 17.3 his sophomore year.
In Turner’s senior season, he led the team in points (20.4), rebounds (9.2), assists (6.0) and steals (1.7) on his way to being named National Player of the Year.
Ohio State retired his No. 21 in 2016, just six years after his last game in Columbus.
Next … A scoring machine
Dennis Hopson (1983-1987)
How can we leave the program’s all-time leading scorer out of the top four shooting guards?
After finding his sea-legs the first two years of his career, Hopson found his confidence and scoring prowess his last two years in Columbus — amassing a program record 2,096 points total for his career.
He averaged 20.9 points his junior year, and boosted that up to 29 points during his senior season. He could score in all sorts of ways and almost won player of the year himself in 1987, leading the Buckeyes into the NCAA Tournament where they orchestrated an upset of Kentucky in the first round.
Next … A silky smooth lefty
Michael Redd (1997-2000)
Michael Redd came to Ohio State as a local product and became a struggling team’s major scoring option immediately his freshman year in 1997 — averaging a Big Ten leading 21.9 points per game.
He earned team MVP honors three-straight years, helped the team make a Final Four run and made first team All-Big Ten his junior season.
Redd left Ohio State as the fifth all-time leading scorer in Ohio State history and was inducted into the Varsity O Hall of Fame in 2009. His play was the catalyst that turned the program into one to reckon with during some dark years.
NEXT UP: G.O.A.T point guards Sunday.
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