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Ohio State’s basketball season has largely been defined by its core rotation.
Players like Bruce Thornton, John Mobley Jr., Devin Royal, and Amare Bynum have carried the majority of the scoring and minutes as the Buckeyes push toward the postseason. But beneath that primary group, the development of younger depth pieces has quietly helped stabilize the roster.
Two players in particular have provided important growth and insurance for Ohio State’s rotation, Colin White and Ivan Njegovan.
Neither player has been a headline contributor in the stat sheet, but both have shown steady development throughout the season and have become meaningful depth pieces in Jake Diebler’s system. Their progress has allowed Ohio State to maintain flexibility when dealing with injuries, foul trouble, or matchup adjustments, something that becomes increasingly valuable late in the season.
Colin White: a defensive spark and developing wing
Colin White entered the program with a strong resume but limited early opportunity. The 6-foot-6 forward from Ottawa, Ohio, arrived in Columbus after a decorated high school career that included Ohio Mr. Basketball honors and more than 2,000 career points, while leading Ottawa-Glandorf to four consecutive state Final Four appearances.
However, White’s freshman season was slowed by injury and limited minutes, allowing him to appear in just 19 games while averaging around 1.1 points and rebounds. That early setback meant his development would take time.
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Throughout the 2025–26 season, White has gradually carved out a niche as a defensive and energy wing off the bench. At roughly 6-6 and over 200 pounds, he provides size on the perimeter and the ability to guard multiple positions, something that has made him useful in situational lineups.
Statistically his role remains small, with only limited scoring and assist totals in the rotation. But his value has often come through less obvious contributions. White has been used to defend opposing wings, crash the glass, and provide physical minutes when the Buckeyes need a defensive boost.
That role has become especially important when Ohio State’s depth has been tested by injuries or when the coaching staff wants to preserve energy for its starters. White’s willingness to embrace a low-usage role has helped him remain a trusted option even without high scoring totals.
The long-term appeal of White’s development is that his skill set fits exactly what Ohio State needs from its bench wings, defense, effort, and positional flexibility. If his offensive game continues to expand, particularly as a shooter and secondary playmaker, he could become a much larger part of the rotation in future seasons.
Ivan Njegovan: size, rim protection, and developmental upside
While White provides depth on the wing, Ivan Njegovan represents a very different kind of developmental piece.
The 7-foot-1 center from Otočac, Croatia, is the tallest player on Ohio State’s roster and brings a traditional interior presence that few teams possess. Njegovan’s path to college basketball has been relatively unique. He began playing the sport later than many prospects but quickly developed due to his size and physical tools.
As a freshman, Njegovan appeared in 21 games, averaging 1.6 points and 1.5 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the field, while also recording eight blocked shots in limited minutes. Those numbers reflected the early stage of his development rather than his long-term potential.
This season, Njegovan has continued to grow into his role as a situational backup center behind Ohio State’s primary frontcourt rotation. His minutes have fluctuated depending on matchups and roster health, but he has shown flashes of the skills that make him intriguing.
One of the clearest examples came early in the season when Njegovan scored 15 points in a dominant win over Mount St. Mary’s, showing his ability to finish efficiently when given opportunities.
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Njegovan’s biggest impact, however, comes defensively. His size allows him to contest shots at the rim and provide a shot-blocking presence that changes how opponents attack the paint. Even in short stints, a player with that kind of length can alter possessions simply by being on the floor.
Offensively, his game remains a work in progress, but he has shown the ability to finish around the basket and occasionally step out for perimeter shots. For a player still relatively new to high-level basketball, those flashes suggest there is still significant room for growth.
Why their development matters for Ohio State
For teams competing in the Big Ten and pushing toward March, depth often becomes the difference between surviving the grind of the schedule and fading late in the season.
Ohio State’s rotation has leaned heavily on its core group, but players like White and Njegovan have provided important depth stability. When starters deal with foul trouble, injuries, or fatigue, having dependable role players who understand their responsibilities can help prevent significant drop-offs.
White provides defensive versatility on the wing, while Njegovan offers size and rim protection inside. Those two skills address different areas of the roster, giving the coaching staff options when adjusting lineups.
Their development also matters for the program’s future. Young players who gain experience in supporting roles often become much larger contributors later in their careers. By learning the system, adapting to Big Ten physicality, and developing confidence in limited minutes, both White and Njegovan are laying the foundation for expanded roles down the line.
For now, they may not be the players filling the highlight reels or leading the scoring column. But in a long season where depth can determine how far a team goes, their steady improvement has quietly helped strengthen Ohio State’s rotation.
As the Buckeyes continue navigating the final stretch of the season, contributions from players like White and Njegovan could become even more valuable.
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