The world of college basketball just keeps getting weirder and weirder.
Puff Johnson is now a member of the Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team and is eligible to play immediately. His path to this point wouldn't make you think he had any eligibility left.
Johnson began his college career in the 2020-21 season with North Carolina.
For those counting at home, he's played five college seasons:
- UNC 20-21
- UNC 21-22
- UNC 22-23
- Penn State 23-24
- Penn State 24-25
Johnson (first name Donovan) has tried multiple avenues to gain eligibility to keep playing and had those attempts denied.
But this time, he got a temporary restraining order by a Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, according to Ohio State Athletics.
“We’re excited for Puff to join our program,” OSU coach Jake Diebler said in a release. “This has been a long process for he and his family. We’re happy for them and are looking forward to him getting on the court.”
Johnson is a decent addition. Last season at Penn State, he averaged 10.2 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He also swiped 1.4 steals per contest.
He's a poor outside shooter, though, so his game is really limited to what he can do on the inside and in transition.
The 6-foot-8 lefty was a top-100 recruit in the Class of 2020 (No. 59 overall RCSI), right behind Julian Strawther, who is in his third NBA season right now.
It's not clear whether there is anything that could overturn this Johnson decision. But for now, he's suiting up for the Buckeyes.
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