E.J. Liddell is headed to the NBA.
The Buckeyes' junior forward has played his final game for Ohio State, as the first-team All-Big Ten performer and third-team AP All-American announced Friday on social media that he will hire an agent and enter the 2022 NBA draft.
— E.J. Liddell (@EasyE2432) March 25, 2022
“Choosing to play for Coach (Chris) Holtmann has been the best decision for me it only as a player but as a person. Thank you believing in me Coach," Liddell's statement reads in part. "To our trainers, managers and the rest of our coaching staff, I appreciate you all for allowing me to carry on the great tradition and culture of being a Buckeye. Most importantly thank you God for everything.”
Liddell led the Buckeyes with averages of 19.4 points and 7.9 rebounds this season, and led the Big Ten with 2.6 blocks per game. Liddell closes his Ohio State career having appeared in 92 and starting 61 of them, averaging 14.1 points and 6.1 boards across his three years in the program.
The No. 44 overall prospect in the country out of Illinois' Belleville West High School, Liddell showed promise as a freshman contributor for the Buckeyes, putting up 6.7 points and 3.8 rebounds off the bench as he appeared in all 31 games for Ohio State in 2019-10. But Liddell didn't blossom into a start until his second year, in which he averaged 16.2 points and 6.7 boards during a first-team All-Big Ten campaign for the Buckeyes.
Liddell tested the NBA draft process last offseason alongside fellow Ohio State standout Duane Washington, but unlike Washington, Liddell opted to return for another season in scarlet and gray.
Coach Holtmann on E.J. Liddells legacy as a Buckeye. pic.twitter.com/nTq4fVfcBi
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) March 25, 2022
During the 2021-22 season, Liddell posted double-digit scoring figures in every game, and became the 60th player to score at least 1,000 points for Ohio State. Liddell finishes with a total of 1,298 in a Buckeye uniform, which puts him behind just 31 players in program history.
"It's not taken for granted by us. I lose sleep over it," Holtmann said on March 19 about what Liddell has brought to the Ohio State program. "He's going to be leaving here in a little bit. We don't take it for granted. His consistency really is remarkable. You can pretty much count on what he's going to be night in and night out. I just think he's a great example of a kid who's, one, a great kid, and has literally gotten better in front of our eyes every year. He had a real choice. I think he clearly made the right choice in coming back. But sometimes kids come back and they don't see great improvement in their game for whatever reason. They just don't. We could talk about a number of guys.
"He's really improved, and for me, it's a great reward because I know it's going to benefit him in terms of his professional career and his professional opportunities in the NBA. That's exciting to see that happen for a kid."
