Ohio State basketball received its first bit of roster fluctuation for the 2024-25 season on Thursday.
Sophomore guard Bowen Hardman has entered the transfer portal after two seasons in Columbus, searching for a new destination for his final two years of collegiate eligibility.
A three-star prospect out of Princeton High School in Cincinnati, Hardman never carved out much of a role in his two campaigns with the Buckeyes. He played just 25 total games across both seasons. This past year was his best as he averaged 4.2 minutes, 1.8 points and 0.4 rebounds per game in 18 appearances.
Hardman generated some buzz as a sharpshooter, winning a three-point competition during “Meet the Teams” Night before the season and going 13-of-29 (44.8%) from distance across his Ohio State career.
Bowen Hardman wins the 3-point contest for the Ohio State mens team, sinking 19 of 25 3s in the final round pic.twitter.com/2FEQH6YXla
— Andy Anders (@AndyAnders55) October 19, 2023
Hardman did see his role increase during the final games of Chris Holtmann's tenure, scoring a career-high 11 points at Nebraska on Jan. 23 before grabbing three points in 12 minutes with three points at Northwestern in Ohio State's next contest.
His next three appearances all went scoreless before Holtmann played him for a career-high 21 minutes at Wisconsin on Feb. 13. Hardman scored seven points in what proved the now-DePaul coach's final game in Columbus as Holtmann was fired the following day.
Hardman never played more than five minutes under Jake Diebler, scoring four total points in six appearances.
The loss of Hardman will make a small dent in the Buckeyes' guard depth, with Dale Bonner running out of eligibility alongside Hardman's transfer. Freshman Taison Chatman and incoming recruit Juni Mobley are currently the top remaining backcourt options behind Bruce Thornton and Roddy Gayle Jr., while freshman guard Scotty Middleton factors in on the wing.
Hardman’s departure opens up a scholarship for Ohio State to potentially add a transfer guard.
