Ohio State's 2018-19 roster will look drastically different than it did last season, but according to one Buckeye veteran, that shouldn't be a bad thing.
Andre Wesson met with the media Wednesday afternoon and said that Ohio State's incoming freshman class, which arrived on campus June 16, is already impressing during open gym workouts.
"I really like them. Everybody that came in brings a little something different," Wesson said. "Justin (Ahrens) can really shoot the ball. He can shoot the ball real well. Duane (Washington) and Luther (Muhammad) are playmakers. They are good off ball-screens and everything. Jaedon is just big and strong and athletic. He has some skill to him to so I like what I have seen so far."
Ohio State announced the numbers each freshman will wear next season on Tuesday, but corrected Ahrens' number Wednesday morning. The lone Ohio native in the Buckeyes' 2018 class will wear No. 10 as a freshman, while Muhammad will wear No. 1, Washington will wear No. 4 and LeDee will wear No. 23.
# Get familiar with these digits
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) June 26, 2018
Check out the numbers our freshmen will be rocking this season. #Team120 pic.twitter.com/Dh3xJItmeJ
Correction: Yesterday we incorrectly announced Justin Ahrens would be wearing #12 next season.
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) June 27, 2018
Instead, Justin will be wearing #10. pic.twitter.com/0Aw1KZWrCQ
With Ohio State's top three-point shooter in Kam Williams and leading scorer and consistent perimeter threat Keita Bates-Diop gone, Ahrens particularly could help fill the void from long range.
"Any time somebody can shoot the ball, it brings a lot to the table," Wesson said. "My high school coach always said, 'Shooting can cure a lot of sin,' so what he brings can help us a lot."
Of Ohio State's four freshmen, Ahrens was the lowest-rated by 247Sports, but his impact could be felt if he can continue his consistent shooting once the season starts.
As for the rest of the class, Muhammad is expected to make the biggest impact, as he was ranked as the No. 75 overall player in his class by 247Sports and the No. 14 overall shooting guard. Washington should provide added depth at both guard spots behind C.J. Jackson and Keyshawn Woods while LeDee could potentially push Micah Potter for minutes off the bench behind starting big man Kaleb Wesson. Because of his athleticism, LeDee could also see time with the younger Wesson, provided he can help space the floor as well.
Check in with Eleven Warriors on Sunday morning for more on Wesson's meeting with the media, as the junior discussed his health and how he is ahead of schedule during this offseason after being forced to sit out most of last summer.
