Finding the right fit for your college basketball program isn't just about what happens on the court but off it as well. Today, Ohio State added a key piece. How will that commitment impact the Buckeyes?
Ohio State added some desperately needed depth Friday night when four-star guard/wing Musa Jallow announced his pledge to the Buckeyes and reclassified to the 2017 class.
Let's take a look at what Jallow — the No. 120 prospect in the country — brings to Ohio State's 2017 recruiting class.
On the Court
Jallow has a college-ready body already and is an extremely athletic perimeter player. He's long and bouncy and has all of the tools that can make him an extremely effective college defender.
Offensively, he still has room to grow. Jallow is best served right now as a slasher as his jump shot is still inconsistent. But if he ever gets that down, the upside for a player like Jallow is tremendous. At 6-foot-5, he has the ability to play either shooting guard or small forward in college — and it's likely he'll play both spots at Ohio State. That versatility is key.
During his junior season at Bloomington North High School, Jallow averaged 24.1 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. Check out some highlights from Jallow's season in the video below, via Inside The Hall.
In the Class
Jallow becomes the third member of the 2017 class, joining Kaleb Wesson and Kyle Young – the top two players in the state of Ohio. His commitment and reclassification to the 2017 class gives the Buckeyes much-needed depth.
Even with Jallow's commitment, Ohio State has just 10 scholarship players for the upcoming season, including former walk on Joey Lane. With such a shallow bench, it's likely Jallow will be asked to contribute immediately as a true freshman.
As mentioned above, Jallow's versatility makes him a valuable late addition to the class. Ohio State has a glaring need for backcourt help and Jallow has the ability to play the off-guard position. But his size, length and athleticism should also allow him to defend some wings at the Big Ten level. There is the definite possibility for Jallow to play alongside two other guards at the same time.
After Jallow's pledge, the Buckeyes have six scholarships available in the 2018 class and it's widely expected they take at least a four-man class. Jallow's commitment doesn't really affect any other targets. Ohio State is still likely targeting two guards, another wing and a big man to fill out that class.
The Intangibles
Taking a top prospect from the heart of Hoosier country probably seems like a mild upset on the surface. However, it's unclear how high exactly Jallow was on Archie Miller's recruiting board. Ohio State took advantage of that.
Additionally, Jallow is reportedly a 4.0 student. He had offers from strong academic schools such as Stanford, Northwestern and Virginia but ultimately wound up selecting Ohio State. It seems like a great fit for what Holtmann is trying to build in Columbus both on and off the floor.
Jallow is going to play hard and defend night in and night out. His offensive game may still be a work in progress, but if he ever figures it out, he has the potential to be a big-time performer at the next level.
