Devin Royal Returning to Ohio State for 2025-26 Season
Ohio State forward Devin Royal has announced that he will return for his junior season with the Buckeyes, building on his strong performance from last year. Royal’s decision to stay is a boost for Ohio State as they aim for better results in coach Jake Diebler’s second season.
After a standout sophomore year, where he averaged 13.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, Royal played a crucial role despite the team’s third consecutive absence from the NCAA Tournament. He also developed a reliable three-point shot, making 35.3% of his attempts in the final 16 games of the season. Royal had six 20-point games and showed growth as both a dynamic inside player and a perimeter threat.
A top-50 recruit in the 2023 class, Royal had a solid freshman season in 2023-24, appearing in 33 games and contributing 4.7 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.
Royal is the third key player to announce his return for next season, joining sophomore guard John Mobley Jr. and senior guard Bruce Thornton, although Thornton will explore the NBA draft before making a final decision. With the addition of junior Sean Stewart, sophomore Ivan Njegovan, incoming freshman A’mare Bynum, and senior transfer Christoph Tilly, Ohio State’s frontcourt looks strong for the upcoming season.
