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Summer Recruiting Bible: Ohio State in market for top prospects

Thad Matta and Ohio State are in the hunt for top prospects Kobi Simmons and Markelle Fultz. Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire

Throughout June and heading into the all-important July recruiting period, Jeff Goodman and Jeff Borzello will take a look at the summer checklists for the top 50 programs in college basketball, as revealed in Goodman's preseason ballot published in late May. Goodman and Borzello will show you each roster the way the program's coaches are looking at it, projecting graduation/NBA casualties and areas of need ahead of 2016-17. Below is the summer guide for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

An index and schedule for the Summer Recruiting Bible series is located HERE.


Scholarship chart

Seniors (0): None

Juniors (1): PF Marc Loving

Sophomores (5): SG Kam Williams, SF Keita Bates-Diop, SF Jae'Sean Tate, C David Bell, C Trevor Thompson

Freshmen (5): PG A.J. Harris, G JaQuan Lyle, SG Austin Grandstaff, SF Mickey Mitchell, C Daniel Giddens

Possible early-entry losses after next season: None

Available scholarships for 2016: Two

Committed prospects for 2016 and beyond: PF Derek Funderburk (No. 44 in ESPN 100, King James), C Micah Potter (Ohio Basketball Club)

Biggest needs for 2016-17: None

Must-haves: None

Targets: PG Kobi Simmons (No. 6 in ESPN 100, Atlanta Celtics), SG Markelle Fultz (No. 21, DC Blue Devils)

Summer Scenario

As has been the case the past couple of years, Ohio State did its work early for the 2016 class. The Buckeyes already have commitments from ESPN 100 power forward Derek Funderburk and center Micah Potter. Funderburk can still develop on the offensive end, but he can score inside and out and runs the floor really well. Potter is an in-state prospect who will provide depth inside. Theoretically, the Buckeyes could be done for 2016, as they had two scholarships to give and have two commitments. Moreover, they have five freshmen and five sophomores on the roster, so there's clearly a deep and young nucleus on the roster. With transfers and early entries, Ohio State isn't done recruiting, of course. The Buckeyes had an in-home visit with Kobi Simmons in April, and they've also been in pursuit of fast-rising scoring guard Markelle Fultz.