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Ohio State basketball adds transfer commitment from former Penn State wing

Derek Peterson

By Derek Peterson

Published:

Ohio State earned a commitment from Penn State transfer Evan Mahaffey on Wednesday.

The 6-foot-6 wing spent his freshman season at Penn State after a prep career that saw him ranked as the No. 3 recruit from the state of Ohio. He played in 34 games as a true freshman for coach Micah Shrewsberry but entered the portal just days after Shrewsberry was announced as the next head coach at Notre Dame.

Mahaffey was a 3-star recruit out of the 2022 class and a top-150 prospect, according to 247 Sports.

Penn State had Mahaffey listed as a combo guard/forward, but he spent the bulk of his time on the court as a 4-man. In 9.4 minutes a night, Mahaffey averaged 2.8 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.4 assists while shooting 56.9% from the field and 33.3% from 3. (Twelve of his 65 overall attempts came from 3.)

He’s a player with a high ceiling and the potential to impact the game at both ends of the floor.

Mahaffey scored 12 points in 13 minutes during Penn State’s win over Indiana on Jan. 11. He had 8 points and 3 steals against Purdue just days prior. He did a little bit of everything against Iowa on Jan. 1, ending with 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal in 18 minutes. Twice last season Mahaffey had 2 blocks and a steal in the same game.

Mahaffey’s commitment would seem to signal that either another player is exiting the program or Brice Sensabaugh, who entered his name in the 2023 NBA draft after his freshman season, plans to remain in the draft. Should Sensabaugh choose to return, the Buckeyes would be sitting at 14 scholarship players — 1 over the limit.

Derek Peterson

Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.