Devin Royal is returning to Ohio State for his junior season.
The second-leading scorer for the Buckeyes last season, Royal projects as a primary piece in what will be the second full year with Jake Diebler as coach. As Ohio’s Mr. Basketball following his senior season at Pickerington Central, Royal picked Ohio State ahead of Michigan State and Alabama and announced his decision during a press conference at his high school prior to his senior year.
His return, coupled with the likely return of Bruce Thornton as he goes through the NBA draft process, will see Ohio State bring back its two leading scorers from last year and its top three scorers who were eligible to return.
The Buckeyes last brought back their two leading scorers in 2016-17 when JaQuan Lyle, Marc Loving and Jae’Sean Tate all returned after finishing as the top three scorers the season before.
Royal's return was made possible in part by THE Foundation, the primary collective working with the Ohio State men's basketball and football programs.
During his freshman year at Ohio State, Royal averaged 4.7 points and 2.4 rebounds but saw his playing time and production pick up when Diebler was named interim coach after the midseason firing of head coach Chris Holtmann. In his final nine games, Royal scored 84 of his 155 points, averaging 9.3 per game while going 29 for 56 (51.7%) from the floor. Royal scored 54.2% of his total points in 25.0% of Ohio State’s games, a stretch that came with Diebler in charge.
He quickly announced a return for his sophomore season with a graphic posted to social media featuring the logo of THE Foundation.
He came off the bench during the first four games of his sophomore season but moved into a full-time starter after center Aaron Bradshaw was suspended. He never relinquished the role and put together a breakout season. Royal scored in double figures 21 times, topped 20 points six times and recorded his first three career double-doubles while averaging 13.7 points and a team-high 6.9 rebounds.
