Land-Grant Holy Land - Ohio State basketball signing day 2013: Matta adds 4https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46551/lghl-fave.png2013-11-14T12:12:21-05:00http://www.landgrantholyland.com/rss/stream/48655652013-11-14T12:12:21-05:002013-11-14T12:12:21-05:00D'Angelo Russell officially signs with OSU
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Five star guard D'Angelo Russell officially becomes a member of the Buckeye basketball family after signing his Letter of Intent with Ohio State. </p> <p>With the early signing period already in full swing, Thad Matta and staff have received the National Letter of Intent from another future Buckeye. Five star guard, <b>D'Angelo Russell</b>, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Corey_Rivals513/status/401031557428678656">is the latest class of 2014 commit to sign on the dotted line</a> and officially become an Ohio State student athlete, joining forwards, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2013/11/13/5098646/jaesean-tate-officially-signs-with-ohio-state"><b>Jae'Sean Tate</b></a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2013/11/13/5098520/keita-bates-diop-class-of-2014-forward-officially-signs-with-ohio"><b>Keita Bates-Diop</b></a> and Garfield Heights center, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2013/11/13/5099996/ohio-state-recruiting-dave-bell-officially-signs-with-osu"><b>Dave Bell</b></a>.</p>
<p>Russell a smooth, lefty, who can play either guard position on the court committed to the Buckeyes in <a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2013/6/7/4391956/dangelo-russell-commits-to-ohio-state" target="_blank">early June</a>, soon after visiting Ohio State and connecting with the staff and players. The 6-4 180 pound, Russell, picked OSU over opportunities at some of the most prestigious college basketball programs in the country. Louisville, Michigan State, North Carolina and Florida are just a few of the teams to send out a scholarship offer to D'Angelo during the recruiting process.</p>
<p>Our Zach Fleer caught up with D'Angelo over the summer soon after his commitment and had him touch on subjects from what made him decide to pick the Buckeyes to what he wanted to work on before reaching the college level:</p>
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<p>It doesn't matter if its AAU hoops, where he averaged 14 points a contest during the EYBL season, the camp circuit against the nations best or on the prep level for powerhouse Montverde Academy (FL), the Louisville, Kentucky native always seems to be one of the players to catch your eye on the court. As a junior, Russell was a key contributor and helped Montverde finish with a 27-2 overall record and a National High School Invitational Championship.</p>
<p>From the looks of things, before he suits up for the Bucks next season, Russell and his Eagles teammates just might be in line to win another Championship as you can see for yourself with these highlights of him and the squad in action from a few weeks ago at the Hoop Exchange Fall Festival held in Orlando, Florida:</p>
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https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2013/11/14/5100010/ohio-state-recruiting-dangelo-russell-officially-signs-with-osuCharles Doss2013-11-13T17:55:01-05:002013-11-13T17:55:01-05:00'14 C Dave Bell signs LOI with Ohio State
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<p>6'10 Garfield Heights big man Dave Bell signed with Ohio State on Wednesday.</p> <p>Shocking the Midwest with a commitment to the Buckeyes on Feb. 11, Garfield Heights center Dave Bell put his name on the dotted line to <a target="_blank" href="http://highschoolsports.cleveland.com/news/article/742374313715884059/high-school-collegiate-signings-2013-14/">officially join Ohio State's class of 2014 on Wednesday</a>. At 6'10 and 220 pounds, Bell is a lengthy post that prior to committing to Ohio State, held offers from Dayton, DePaul, Kent State, and Miami (OH).</p>
<p>Seen as a project, Bell is a player with lots of upside, most noted by the fact that the Buckeye commit has only been playing organized basketball for three years. Likely to redshirt his first year on campus, look for Bell to continue his development under an experienced coaching staff known for putting big men in the NBA.</p>
<p>Check out some of Bell's highlights from his junior season, courtesy of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.twitter.com/3rdCoastHoops">3rd Coast Hoops</a>.</p>
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https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2013/11/13/5099996/ohio-state-recruiting-dave-bell-officially-signs-with-osuZach Fleer2013-11-13T15:35:00-05:002013-11-13T15:35:00-05:00Keita Bates-Diop officially signs with OSU
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<figcaption>247Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Thad Matta started the day off on a good note when Keita Bates-Diop officially became a Buckeye, one of many that will make up a huge 2014 class.</p> <p>Though <b>Payton Dastrup</b>'s flip to BYU stings a bit, following in the foot steps of <b>Jae'Sean Tate's</b> making his pledge to Ohio State official, Illinois native, <b>Keita Bates-Diop </b>did the same, <a href="https://twitter.com/hoijim/status/400720494317408256" target="_blank">signing his national letter of intent</a>. A four-star small forward, Bates-Diop gave his verbal commitment to Thad Matta just about a year ago on November 18th of 2012. Coach Matta and company were able to grab the University High School standout from DePaul, Illinois, Kansas State, Marquette and Michigan. With the i's dotted and the t's crossed, Bates-Diop will officially be a Buckeye starting next season and is part of a monster 2014 class for Ohio State.</p>
<p>KBD is a strong scorer with enough size to be effective on the glass. His athleticism is hardly matched on the hardwood and couple that in with his size, he turns into one of the best basketball players in his class. Though there will be a transition period at the next level, Keita Bates-Diop looks the part to be one of the next greats ones to don the scarlet and gray.</p>
<p>If you haven't seen any game action, check him out in full beast mode earlier this year.</p>
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https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2013/11/13/5098520/keita-bates-diop-class-of-2014-forward-officially-signs-with-ohioAustin Kemp2013-11-13T11:48:00-05:002013-11-13T11:48:00-05:00Jae'Sean Tate officially becomes a Buckeye
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<figcaption>Scarberry Media</figcaption>
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<p>The first commitment of the Buckeyes' 2014 class signed his national letter of intent on Wednesday.<strong></strong></p> <p>On a day of firsts, Ohio State's first commitment in the class of 2014, Pickerington Central small forward Jae'Sean Tate, <a href="https://twitter.com/o_tate_/status/400665014337429506" target="_blank">signed his national letter of intent on Wednesday</a>. Tate, a 6'5, 200 pound forward, committed to the Buckeyes nearly a year ago on Nov. 19, 2012, and signed on the first day of the signing period. Projecting to be a small forward at the next level, Tate held offers from Dayton, Michigan, Purdue, West Virginia, and Xavier before pledging to Thad Matta and the Buckeyes.</p>
<p>Tate's biggest strengths are his tenacity on both sides of the ball, slashing ability and his never-ending motor, qualities that helped the forward outperform higher ranked competition on the EYBL circuit for All-Ohio Red. The senior has a level of consistent productivity that should bode well for his future in Columbus. The biggest knack on Tate up to this point is his perimeter shooting, something that can be improved with enough practice. After winning a state championship in his sophomore season with current Michigan combo-guard <b>Caris LeVert</b>, and Michigan State commit <b>Javon Bess</b>, now at rival Gahanna Lincoln, Tate hopes to lead Pickerington Central back to the promised land as a senior.</p>
<p>Check out Tate in action below:</p>
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https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2013/11/13/5098646/jaesean-tate-officially-signs-with-ohio-stateZach Fleer