ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Sixth-year wing Puff Johnson is available to make his debut for Ohio State against Michigan.
The former North Carolina and Penn State transfer, who was granted immediate eligibility thanks to a temporary restraining order approved Jan. 16, is not unavailable for the Ohio State men’s basketball team as it plays the No. 2 Wolverines at the Crisler Center.
After being added to the roster, Johnson has had to build up game fitness and begin the assimilation process to the program after a lengthy process to gain eligibility. After a Jan. 20 overtime win against Minnesota, Ohio State coach Jake Diebler said the next 48 hours would be critical as Johnson worked to make his debut.
“Seeing him interact with his teammates (was) great,” Diebler said. “He works really, really hard. Just a great young man and we’re looking forward to him getting out on the court with us.”
Johnson has not played a college basketball game in 373 days. He watched the Minnesota game from the team bench.
Ohio State men’s basketball beat writer Adam Jardy can be reached at ajardy@dispatch.com, on Bluesky at @cdadamjardy.bsky.social or on Twitter at @AdamJardy.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Puff Johnson eligible to make season debut for Ohio State at Michigan
Reporting by Adam Jardy, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
