Ohio State will not get its scheduled visit with former LSU guard Jalen Reece after he committed to Texas A&M on April 22, 2026. The Buckeyes had been planning to bring him in as they looked for one more guard to round out next season’s rotation.
Reece, a 6-foot former four-star recruit, averaged 5.8 points and 3.6 assists per game last season in 32 games for LSU. His late-season surge stood out more: in his final eight SEC games, he averaged 12.0 points and 6.8 assists while shooting 37% from three.
Joe Tipton said, “LSU transfer guard Jalen Reece has committed to Texas A&M, source told @On3.” That decision immediately removed him from Ohio State’s board and left the Buckeyes still searching for another backcourt addition.
Ohio State has already added three players through the transfer portal following the 2025-2026 season and made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in the Jake Diebler era. The one missing piece remains a bench guard, and Reece had been one of the more natural fits before his commitment closed that door.
The urgency is simple for Ohio State: the roster has some of the needed portal help, but not all of it. Reece’s departure leaves the Buckeyes with a clear remaining job and a narrowing market for guards who can supply minutes, passing and shot-making off the bench.
