Ohio State's basketball roster might be one of the most diverse in the country when it comes to age differentiation.
The Buckeyes' oldest player is Kam Williams, a member of the 2013 recruiting class. Ohio State's youngest player? Musa Jallow, who would normally still be in a high school classroom.
In between are a plethora of fresh faces and experienced veterans, all adapting to first-year head coach Chris Holtmann. Holtmann, who spoke to members of the media at halftime of Ohio State's football game against Oklahoma, said he too is still studying how to manage the unique mix of players on his roster.
"I can't tell you how important it was to add a group like that to begin this process."– Chris Holtmann on Ohio State's 2017 class.
"I am still learning. We added six of our 14 guys since June 9," Holtmann said. "We are in workout No. 3. They are getting to know us, we are getting to know them, but I have enjoyed it."
Jallow was one of those six roster add-ons, but because of his reclassification to the 2017 class, he was not able to participate in workouts with the team until the fall semester began.
That time away from the team made Jallow anxious, Holtmann said.
"Musa is a very ambitious kid and a terrific student and he wants to do everything really well," Holtmann said. "He texted me and asked if we could talk. He said, 'We are two open gyms in, and I don't quite understand what my role is going to be.' I had to tell him, 'We are two open gyms in, and we are in the first week. It is going to happen. It is going to come.'
"As with all of our freshman, everything is coming at them fast right now, but I am really excited about those three freshmen that we have," Holtmann said referencing Jallow, Kaleb Wesson and Kyle Young. "I can't tell you how important it was to add a group like that to begin this process."
The young trio is set to be grouped with a veteran but largely unproven roster that features senior Jae'Sean Tate, Williams and redshirt junior Keita Bates-Diop.
Bates-Diop missed most of last season with a stress fracture in his left leg, an injury that earned him a medical redshirt.
Holtmann said he has been impressed with Bates-Diop's development in his offseason training program to come back stronger from the season-ending injury.
"He has really made strides in his conditioning," Holtmann said. "I think he is probably our most versatile player because he can play as many as three or four positions. Usually when you say that, you think offense, but he can guard three or four positions. His approach has been outstanding, his buy-in to what we are doing has been outstanding. I am really excited about him."
As for Tate and Williams, Holtmann said his relationship with the team's two seniors is continuing to develop.
"They have been really good. I am different than Coach (Thad) Matta, so that will be an adjustment for them," Holtmann said. "I don't think you can rush into relationships. It is going to take some time, but I like this group. I like our upperclassmen and what they can be."
As for the rest of Ohio State's roster, the Buckeyes got some good news recently in regards to the health of sophomore forward Andre Wesson.
As was first reported by Eleven Warriors, Andre Wesson suffered from an undisclosed medical issue that limited his participation in offseason workouts. However, with the season drawing closer, the older Wesson has since been cleared to resume basketball activities, and Holtmann is excited about what the sophomore can bring to the table.
"He was out all summer and we weren't sure what it was going to be for him," Holtmann said. "First and foremost, we wanted to make sure he was in good health. He needs to get in shape, but that will happen. He has done a great job of coming back and working with our staff.
"We had a team workout today and he was able to do some things. We had a skill workout the other day and I took about a 10-second clip of it and sent it to his dad and mom and I know they were happy to see him back out there."
Adding in Micah Potter and C.J. Jackson to the mix, Holtmann said he is eager to see what his first Ohio State team can do.
"Obviously we have some depth issues at certain positions, there is no question," Holtmann said. "I think if we stay healthy, I am excited about this group. We have a great group of young men."
