Curtis Givens III has by no means taken the straightforward path. After two stops in two years, the 6-foot-3 guard from Memphis, Tennessee, is heading to Columbus — and Ohio State could also be getting him on the proper time.
Givens announced his commitment to the Buckeyes on Thursday afternoon via his Instagram page, shortly after leaving campus for his go to. He joins Justin Pippen, Andrija Jelavic and Jimmie Williams because the fourth member of the Scarlet and Gray’s 2026 switch class.
Givens arrived at LSU as a top-100 prospect from Montverde Academy, one of many nation’s most prestigious prep packages. Expectations have been excessive for the four-star Memphis native, who introduced size, versatility, and playmaking potential to a Tigers program hoping to show issues round beneath head coach Matt McMahon.
But Baton Rouge by no means fairly clicked. LSU stumbled to a 14-18 file in 2024-25, ending second-to-last within the SEC at 3-15, a powerful setting for a freshman looking for his footing. Givens averaged 4.8 factors in his first season in Baton Rouge, flashing promise at occasions however by no means totally breaking by in a crowded, struggling rotation. By April, he determined to maneuver on, getting into the switch portal.
His first vacation spot was dwelling. Givens dedicated to Memphis forward of the 2025-26 season, shifting from one Tigers program to a different. Playing for Penny Hardaway and the Tigers, he thrived in a extra comfy setting. In 25 video games, he averaged 9.4 factors, 2.1 rebounds and a pair of.3 assists, taking pictures 43.1 % from the sector and 36.5 % from three. He battled a midseason thigh damage however confirmed his greatest basketball down the stretch, scoring 12 factors in a clutch 55-53 win over Temple in 33 minutes and proving he may very well be a difference-maker when given constant alternative.
Now, Givens is prepared for the largest stage but. His commitment to Ohio State offers him a probability to compete within the Big Ten. The Buckeyes want guard depth and perimeter taking pictures heading into subsequent season, and Givens gives that. With a number of key items departing Columbus by way of the portal, Givens walks into a scenario with a actual alternative for a function.
The match is sensible on a number of ranges. Head coach Jake Diebler runs an offense that prioritizes guard play, spacing and ball motion — a system tailored for a participant like Givens, who has proven he can create off the dribble, shoot off the catch and discover teammates. His time at LSU uncovered him to high-level SEC competitors, and his 12 months at Memphis helped him develop into a respectable scoring risk. The Buckeyes get a battle-tested sophomore with a chip on his shoulder and one thing to show.
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For Givens, the third cease is greater than a switch — it is a assertion. He has weathered a tough freshman season, persevered by damage, and steadily raised his recreation every month. The Scarlet and Gray will give him the platform to point out the recruiting companies that what they noticed once they rated him a blue-chip prospect popping out of highschool was proper all alongside.
