Pitt Basketball
Pitt Opponent Gets Superstar Back After Draft Withdrawal
As the NBA Draft approaches, many college stars are making the tough decision of whether or not to stay in the draft.
One player that is notable to Pitt’s 2025-26 schedule made his decision on Tuesday.
According to a report by CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton will return to the Buckeyes for the upcoming college basketball season. See Rothstein’s report here.
“Source: Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton has officially withdrawn from the 2025 NBA Draft and will return to school next season,” Rothstein said on X. “Averaged 17.7 PPG, 4.6 APG, and 3.4 RPG last year and is an All-American candidate entering 2025-26.”
Thornton was Ohio State’s leading scorer and passer last season, averaging 17+ PPG and 4+ APG. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound guard shot 50% from the field and 42% from three-point range. He played all 45 minutes in last year’s overtime classic against Pitt in Columbus, scoring 24 points and dishing out ten assists for the Buckeyes. Thornton went 7 for 15 from the field and 3 for 5 from three-point range in the loss to the Panthers.
This upcoming season, Thornton and the Buckeyes will travel to Pittsburgh to take on Pitt at the Petersen Events Center.
The Ohio State Buckeyes will travel to the Petersen Events Center on November 28th to take on Pitt. This will be Ohio State’s first trip to Pittsburgh since 2002.
Last season, these two teams squared off as Pitt came away with a 91-90 overtime win as Zack Austin hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer. Ohio State leads the all-time series 15-12 but Pitt has won the past 3 matchups.
The Buckeyes finished the 2024-25 season with a record of 17-15 and 9-11 in the Big 10 Conference and didn’t qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
Ohio State’s top three returning players will be Bruce Thornton, Devin Royal and John Mobley Jr. As a junior, Thornton led Ohio State in scoring with 17.7 points per game, 3-point shooting (42.4%) and assists per game (4.6). Royal led the team in rebounding (6.9) and was second in scoring with 13.7 points per game. Mobley, a freshman, shot 38.5% from 3-point-range and had six games of 20-plus points, finishing the season averaging 13.0 points per game.
Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler also added Santa Clara center Christopher Tilly, Wright State forward Brandon Noel and Indiana guard Gabe Cupps through the transfer portal.
