Eugene Brown is the first Buckeye to enter the transfer portal this offseason.
After three seasons at Ohio State, the 6-foot-7 wing announced he will continue his college basketball career outside of Columbus. Brown averaged 2.2 points per game in 10.1 minutes per game as a junior for the Buckeyes in 2022-23.
Love Always, EB3 pic.twitter.com/LIZz5JUGL8
— Eugene Brown III (@eugenebrown3_) March 30, 2023
Brown entered the program as a four-star recruit out of Georgia's Southwest DeKalb High School in 2020, but played only 6.2 minutes per game as a true freshman. Brown found more opportunities as a sophomore, earning a starting role down the stretch of the 2021-22 season as he averaged 3.5 points and 2.4 rebounds per game in 26 appearances.
While Brown was expected to play an important role for the Buckeyes this past season, his momentum was stunted by a preseason concussion that kept him out of Ohio State's first 11 games. Often playing out of position as a de facto big man in small-ball lineups for the Buckeyes, Brown appeared in 22 games and only started one of them – nine fewer than he did in his second season.
Brown thanked the Buckeye coaching staff, medical personnel, media, professors and fans in his statement on social media and will leave Ohio State with a degree.
"The lessons, experiences and bonds I have created while here will forever be a chapter in my life journey that has made me who I am today," Brown's statement said in part.
Love you man! https://t.co/XSs2tMb4LL
— Zed Key (@iamzedkey) March 30, 2023
Brown's announcement came just five days after freshman forward Brice Sensabaugh opted to enter his name in the 2023 NBA draft while maintaining the option to return to Ohio State. Should Sensabaugh ultimately opt to remain in the draft, the departure of Sensabaugh, Brown and outgoing seniors Justice Sueing, Sean McNeil and Isaac Likekele would free up plenty of opportunities on the wing for Chris Holtmann's 2023-24 roster.
