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According to The Columbus Dispatch’s Adam Jardy, two players that were expected to contribute to the Ohio State men’s basketball team during the 2017-2018 season are apparently no longer with the squad.
Braxton Beverly has asked for his release from the #Buckeyes and Derek Funderburk has been dismissed from the team.
— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) June 30, 2017
When players reported earlier this month, new head coach Chris Holtmann suspended red-shirt freshman Funderburk for “failure to meet team expectations.” Previous coach Thad Matta red-shirted Funderburk, who had been the 2016 class’ highest rated prospect, according to 247 sports. The 6’9 forward was a four-star prospect coming out of St. Edward’s High School.
Beverly is a 5’11 point guard from Hazard, KY, who had also considered Western Kentucky before committing to OSU.
The loss of the pair leaves the Buckeyes with just nine players currently on the roster. Earlier this month, four-star forward Kyle Young flipped his commitment from Butler to Ohio State in order to play for Holtmann in his home state. Young is a native of Massillon, OH.
Having just nine players on the squad is obviously less than ideal for the Buckeye’s new head coach, but he could potentially pick up another player for the fall if 2018’s No. 5 combo guard Eric Ayala decides to reclassify into the 2017 class following the conclusion of his AAU season in July.
Currently, OSU’s roster has just three guards, five forwards, and one center.