The Ohio State basketball team's already small roster just got even smaller.
Incoming freshman guard Braxton Beverly has been granted a release from the program and redshirt freshman forward Derek Funderburk has been dismissed from the program for "failure to meet team expectations," according to a press release sent by a team spokesman.
Beverly's request for a release is not atypical after a coaching change. Earlier this month, Ohio State was on the other end of a similar situation involving recent signee Kyle Young. A Butler signee, Young was granted a release and signed with the Buckeyes, following head coach Chris Holtmann from Butler to Ohio State.
Beverly thanked Thad Matta, the man who recruited him to Ohio State, and Buckeye athletic director Gene Smith on Twitter:
— Braxton Beverly (@BBeverly10) June 30, 2017
Zach Fleer of 270 Hoops reports that Beverly is heading to NC State.
A source tells me that newly released Ohio State point guard Braxton Beverly will be transferring to NC State.
— Zach Fleer (@ZachFleer270) June 30, 2017
Funderburk was suspended by new Holtmann earlier this month for the same reason. Though the team never specified the length of the suspension, they said it would be "determined internally."
Neither player ever played a game for the Buckeyes as Beverly was a member of the 2017 recruiting class and Funderburk, a member of the 2016 class, redshirted his freshman season at Ohio State.
The Buckeyes are now down to just nine players for the upcoming season, including former walk-on guard Joey Lane, who is now on scholarship.
