Ohio State’s Trevor Thompson tells ESPN he’s forgoing final season of college

Ohio State basketball projects to return almost all of their players next year, but one important member won’t be coming back, according to ESPN.

Jeff Goodman tweets that Ohio State’s Trevor Thompson has informed the network that he will forgo his final season of college.

That jives with a report from the 11th that claimed Thompson would not return to Ohio State, one that was quickly refuted by his father. But now that Ohio State has learned that it will not be playing in the postseason, Thompson’s decision timetable may have moved up.

Losing Thompson is a big loss for the Buckeyes. He improved every season in Columbus, posting 10.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks a game, emerging as one of the best players on the team. His minutes will likely go to Micah Potter, who started many games for the Buckeyes and provides more outside shooting, or incoming freshman Kaleb Wesson.

Thompson may be a fringe NBA prospect right now, but he could still pursue a professional career overseas, or in the G-League, and make some nice money.

We’ll see if this means Ohio State pursues a graduate transfer this offseason to give depth to the frontcourt, or offers additional scholarships in the 2017 class.