Picture a 6-foot-10 Nigerian youngster who didn't pick up a basketball until he was 13, after two years of kicking a soccer ball around, getting ready for his debut as an Ohio State Buckeye in 2025. That is Josh Ojianwuna, ex-Baylor big man, and he's boarding the plane with his trademark high energy, relentless rebounding, and a hustle-bustle heart to join the Buckeyes. On May 7, 2025, Josh went official with his move to Columbus, and Buckeye fans are eagerly waiting. It isn't a roster move—it's a tribute to grit, development, and a man chasing his dreams in a new community.
From Baylor to Buckeye: Josh’s Journey
Josh’s three years at Baylor were like a coming-of-age movie. He started as a bench sparkplug, a raw talent with a knack for dunking anything near the rim. By his junior year in 2024-25, he was a starter, owning the paint with 7.4 points and 6.4 rebounds a game in 23 starts. The dude was a walking highlight reel, shooting an unreal 77.4% from the field—mostly thunderous dunks and gritty putbacks. If he’d taken enough shots to qualify, he’d have topped the nation’s shooting charts. One game against Arizona State, he went off for 12 points and a career-high 17 rebounds, showing he could dominate on both ends.
But life threw a curveball. On February 8, 2025, a knee injury against UCF cut his season short, requiring surgery and sidelining him for Baylor’s stretch run. It was a tough blow for a guy who’d worked so hard to carve out his role. Still, Josh didn’t sulk. He hit the transfer portal, looking for a fresh start, and Ohio State felt like the perfect fit. As he told The Columbus Dispatch, chats with Buckeye big man Christoph Tilly and former OSU star E.J. Liddell sealed the deal. They raved about the program’s family vibe and Coach Jake Diebler’s vision for a tough, versatile frontcourt. For Josh, it was a chance to keep growing—and maybe dunk on some Big Ten rivals.
Why Ohio State Needs Josh
Let’s be real: Ohio State’s frontcourt needed a boost. After losing Aaron Bradshaw to Memphis and Sean Stewart to the portal, the Buckeyes got pushed around in the paint last season. Rebounding was a struggle, and they lacked the muscle to match the Big Ten’s bruising bigs. Enter Josh, a 230-pound force who crashes the boards like it’s his job and finishes lobs with authority. He’s the fourth transfer to join OSU this spring, alongside Santa Clara’s Christoph Tilly, Wright State’s Brandon Noel, and Indiana’s Gabe Cupps. Together, they’re giving Diebler’s squad a new edge.
Josh’s game is all about the little things that win big games. He’s not out there launching threes or hunting highlight plays—he’s battling for rebounds, swatting shots, and turning missed shots into easy buckets. NBA Draft Room called him a “big man who does all the dirty work,” and that’s exactly what Ohio State craves. Whether he’s starting next to Tilly or coming off the bench to spell him, Josh’s energy is going to make life miserable for opponents.
The Road Back from Injury
Here’s the thing: Josh’s knee injury is still a question mark. He’s been grinding through rehab, but there’s no firm timeline on when he’ll be 100%. Ohio State’s staff is playing it smart, giving him time to heal and even floating the idea of a redshirt year if he needs it. With the NCAA possibly tweaking rules to allow a fifth year of eligibility, there’s wiggle room for Josh to take his time. Buckeye fans are crossing their fingers he’ll be ready to roll by November 2025, bringing that Baylor swagger to Value City Arena.
From Nigeria to Columbus: A Personal Story
Josh’s path to Ohio State is straight-up inspiring. Born in Asaba, Nigeria, he grew up playing soccer until a basketball coach spotted his height and begged him to try hoops. On his second day of practice, he threw down a dunk, and just like that, a star was born. He honed his game at NBA Academy Africa and later at the NBA Global Academy in Australia, catching the eye of scouts as a top-150 recruit in 2022. At Baylor, he wore number 17 to honor his dad, who passed away in 2017—a quiet reminder of the personal drive behind his game.
Now, in Columbus, Josh is writing the next chapter. He’s not just here to fill a roster spot; he’s chasing a legacy. Some draft analysts saw him as a second-round NBA pick before his injury, and a big year at Ohio State could put him back on that radar. More than that, he’s got a chance to help a hungry Buckeye team make noise in the Big Ten and maybe even crash the NCAA Tournament.
Buckeye Nation’s New Favorite Big Man
The vibe on X is electric. Fans and insiders like @OSUHoopsInsider and @TheSchottPod are hyping Josh as the “missing piece” for Ohio State’s frontcourt. They love his hustle, his efficiency, and the fact that he plays like he’s got something to prove. Sure, there are challenges—blending a roster with multiple transfers isn’t easy, and Josh’s health is a wildcard. The Buckeyes might still add another piece, with Texas Tech’s Darion Williams rumored to be on their radar. But for now, Josh’s commitment feels like a game-changer.
Imagine the scene: it’s a packed house at the Schott, Ohio State’s battling a Big Ten heavyweight, and Josh soars for a putback dunk that shakes the rim. That’s the energy he’s bringing. From a soccer kid in Nigeria to a Baylor standout to a Buckeye on a mission, Josh Ojianwuna’s story is one to root for. Here’s to him lighting up Columbus in 2025—and maybe throwing down a few more dunks along the way.