Thad Matta's basketball team got some good news today when Anthony Lee, a 6-foot-9 forward, announced that he will transfer from Temple to Ohio State. Lee chose the Buckeyes over Indiana, Iowa State, Louisville and Notre Dame after making a visit to Columbus on Friday.
He will be eligible to play for Ohio State next season, providing depth and productivity to a frontcourt that struggled with consistency in 2014.
"That's why he's such a hot commodity," said Chase Senior, who covers Temple basketball for WHIP. "He's 6-feet-9-inches tall, pretty athletic, can get up and down the floor, score and rebound, he's a solid player."
The boost Ohio State's receiving from Lee isn't only coming on offense. His presence on defense also should provide immediate dividends.
This past season, Lee averaged 13.6 points and his 8.6 rebounds per game led the American Athletic Conference. He shot nearly 50 percent from the field and was a 66 percent free-throw shooter.
While his per-game averages are an improvement over Amir Williams', Senior's scouting report reveals some similarities.
"One thing Lee needs to work on are his hands. There were times when he'd pick-and-roll, the point guard would give him a decent pass and he, simply, wouldn't be able to reel it in," Senior said. "If he can work on his hands and outside shooting, a lot of the schools would be impressed by what he's able to do."
In his career, Lee's only hit one of five three-point attempts. But he is starting to extend his range out to the elbow and baseline. It's an attempt to showcase his versatility, showing he's capable of playing a different position than he did with Fran Dunphy's Owls.
"I had a lot of experience playing the 'five' here, but I'm definitely more of a four," Lee said in an interview with WHIP. "I need to be able to face up to the basket instead of having my back to the basket."
Lee's decision comes one day after LaQuinton Ross announced he would forego his senior season of eligibility and make himself available for the NBA Draft.
Lee's a career 51 percent shooter. He reached double figures 22 times and tallied 11 double-doubles last season. He recorded season highs in points and rebounds against Texas with 23 and 14.
Paired with the Buckeyes' incoming recruiting class, which is ranked in the top 10 nationally, Lee and Co. become instant Big Ten championship contenders.
