Jamison Battle battled his way onto an NBA roster, Brice Sensabaugh showed promising development, but overall, it was a season of highs and lows for former Buckeyes across the league.
Jamison Battle’s journey to an NBA roster was never promised, never easy, and certainly never handed to him. Coming out of Ohio State without the national spotlight some of his peers carried, Battle entered the professional ranks with more questions than guarantees. But what he brought with him—grit, consistency, and a reliable jumper—ultimately earned him something more valuable than hype: a place among the best basketball players in the world. His path mirrored the reality for many fringe NBA hopefuls. Undrafted, he had to prove himself in summer league action and then again in preseason workouts, carving out a space not just through talent, but through an attitude rooted in resilience. For Battle, each practice was an audition, each minute on the court an opportunity to stick, and he made it count. By season’s end, he wasn’t just a name on a two-way contract or someone bouncing around the G League. He was contributing in limited but meaningful moments, giving his team spacing, smart decisions, and the kind of quiet toughness that every locker room needs but few ever notice.
Brice Sensabaugh, meanwhile, began to show why he was once considered one of the top scoring freshmen in the country during his lone season at Ohio State. Taken late in the first round by the Utah Jazz in the 2023 NBA Draft, Sensabaugh entered the league with a reputation for offensive firepower. But like many young players, his rookie year started with a learning curve. Injuries and depth at his position limited his playing time early in the season, but as the year wore on, he began to string together stretches that hinted at what’s to come. There were games when his shot creation looked effortless, when his three-point stroke reminded fans of his college dominance, and when he showed flashes of being more than just a scorer—playing with improved patience, better defensive positioning, and more willingness to move the ball. The step forward wasn’t always linear, but it was there. In a league that’s always searching for efficient wings who can get buckets, Sensabaugh’s progress was encouraging. The Jazz, firmly in the middle of a rebuild, now have another piece to mold, and Sensabaugh is increasingly proving that he belongs.
Beyond Battle and Sensabaugh, the story for former Ohio State players across the NBA was a mixed bag. For some, the 2024–25 season was a continuation of solid careers. For others, it was a reminder of how fragile an NBA role can be. Take D’Angelo Russell, for example. Once an All-Star and the face of a young Lakers squad, Russell now finds himself in a much different situation. The flashes of elite shot-making and crafty playmaking were still there, but inconsistency and defensive struggles kept him in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. His role fluctuated throughout the year, at times looking like a key starter, and at others, like a trade chip or a potential bench spark. Still, Russell’s offensive upside remains valuable, especially in a league that continues to prioritize spacing and shooting. Yet it’s clear that his days of being seen as a franchise cornerstone are likely behind him. He’s now fighting to redefine himself as a high-end role player—someone who can thrive without having the ball all the time or being the focal point.
Keita Bates-Diop, another former Buckeye, found himself navigating a quieter season. Known for his versatility and length, Bates-Diop has always been the type of player coaches love: capable of defending multiple positions, playing within a system, and rarely making mistakes. But opportunity is everything in the NBA, and this year, those opportunities were sporadic. In a crowded rotation, Bates-Diop didn’t always see consistent minutes, and when he did, his impact was often subtle. He remains a useful piece—a steady presence who won’t hurt a team—but the lack of standout performances kept him from making a significant leap. As his contract nears its end, the question becomes whether he can find a situation where his unique skill set is more fully utilized, or if he’ll continue to be a rotational journeyman in a league that values flash over function.
Duane Washington Jr., who went undrafted in 2021 but impressed during his stints with the Pacers and Suns, saw his NBA momentum stall. Injuries and roster depth pushed him to the margins, and he spent most of the year bouncing between the G League and short-term contracts. Yet, much like Jamison Battle, Washington’s hunger hasn’t faded. His ability to score in bunches and shoot from deep gives him a chance to remain on the radar, but consistency and defense will determine his future in the league. He’s still young and talented enough to catch on with the right team, particularly one that values instant offense off the bench.
Then there’s EJ Liddell, a player who many thought would have an immediate impact coming out of Ohio State. A devastating ACL injury during the Summer League in 2022 derailed the start of his NBA journey, and the road back has been long. This season marked his return to the court, and while the physical recovery appeared mostly complete, the challenge has now shifted to proving he can regain the form that once made him a second-round steal. Liddell showed flashes of defensive excellence and the same physicality that made him such a force in college. However, reclaiming a rotation role in the NBA is never guaranteed, especially when dealing with injury history. The Pelicans remain intrigued by his upside, but the window for opportunity is narrow, and Liddell will need a strong offseason to push his way into the conversation for consistent minutes.
One player whose NBA arc seems to be closing is Jared Sullinger. Once a promising young big man for the Celtics, back issues and conditioning questions led to a shortened NBA career. Sullinger has since found success overseas, but the league has largely moved on. Still, his journey serves as a cautionary tale for younger Buckeyes—talent alone isn’t always enough, and staying healthy, adaptable, and fit are just as important in sustaining a career at the highest level. His impact on Ohio State’s legacy remains, but his days in the NBA appear to be firmly in the past.
On the flip side, there were moments of pride for the Buckeye basketball community. When you watch Brice Sensabaugh pull up with confidence or see Jamison Battle earn a spot others doubted he could claim, it’s a reminder that Ohio State continues to produce players who can find their way in the league. The road isn’t always paved with lottery picks and guaranteed contracts. Sometimes, it’s about scrapping, staying ready, and outlasting the doubts.
The 2024–25 NBA season ultimately reflected the current state of Ohio State alumni in the league: solid, competitive, but not dominant. There’s no LeBron James–level superstar carrying the scarlet and gray banner, no All-NBA selection demanding nightly attention. But there is a presence. There are players grinding for roster spots, earning their way into rotations, and doing their best to represent a program that continues to produce NBA-caliber talent.
Looking forward, there’s reason for cautious optimism. With Sensabaugh entering his second year poised to take on a larger role, Liddell hopefully another year removed from injury, and Battle now on the radar, the Buckeye pipeline to the NBA isn’t drying up. It may not be filled with headliners right now, but it’s producing professionals—guys who show up, do the work, and quietly carve out careers in a league where longevity is often earned, not given.
There’s also a new crop of talent coming from Columbus. The program continues to recruit at a high level and produce players with pro potential. Whether or not they follow in the footsteps of Russell, Sullinger, or Sensabaugh remains to be seen, but the foundation is there. The NBA might not currently be overflowing with Buckeye stars, but it’s filled with Buckeye survivors—players who embody the same traits that defined their college years: toughness, adaptability, and perseverance.
So while the 2024–25 season might not have been a breakthrough year for former Ohio State players in the NBA, it was another chapter in a longer story—one defined not by superstar shine, but by steady progress, hard-earned opportunities, and the unrelenting drive to belong. Whether clawing for minutes, coming back from injury, or quietly developing into reliable role players, these former Buckeyes continue to fight. And in the NBA, that fight is half the battle.
