Homecoming:: Gabe Cupps, a Centerville native and 2022 Ohio Mr. Basketball, transfers to Ohio State after two seasons at Indiana.
Eligibility:: Likely has three years remaining due to a medical redshirt after a knee injury limited him to four games last season.
Freshman Year:: Started 22 games for Indiana in 2023-24, averaging 2.6 points in 21.7 minutes per game.
OSU Trend:: Cupps joins a line of recent Ohio Mr. Basketball winners heading to Columbus.
IU Roster Shift:: Cupps is one of several Hoosiers (including Malik Reneau, Mackenzie Mgbako, Jakai Newton, Myles Rice) to enter the transfer portal following the hiring of new coach Darian DeVries.
Why this matters: Cupps' transfer adds backcourt depth and local talent for Ohio State while underscoring the significant roster rebuild underway at Indiana in the dynamic transfer portal era.
Gabe Cupps, a Centerville, Ohio native and the 2022 Ohio Mr. Basketball, is returning to his home state to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes. After two seasons with the Indiana Hoosiers, Cupps entered the transfer portal following a sophomore year cut short by injury. He played in just four games before undergoing knee surgery, making him a likely candidate for a medical redshirt and granting him potentially three more years of eligibility.
As a freshman at Indiana, Cupps stepped into a significant role due to injuries on the team, starting 22 of 33 games and averaging 21.7 minutes, 2.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. He was a four-star recruit (No. 94 nationally in 2023) who had initially listed Ohio State as a finalist before choosing Indiana.
Why this matters: Cupps' commitment marks Ohio State's first transfer portal addition this offseason and continues a trend of the Buckeyes securing recent Ohio Mr. Basketball winners, including Malaki Branham (2021), Devin Royal (2023), and incoming freshman Colin White (2024).
His transfer occurs amidst a major roster overhaul at Indiana following the departure of coach Mike Woodson and the hiring of Darian DeVries. The Hoosiers saw several key players enter the portal, including leading scorer Malik Reneau, Mackenzie Mgbako, Jakai Newton, and Myles Rice. However, Indiana has also been active in the portal, notably bringing in Tucker DeVries (the coach's son) from West Virginia. This highlights the volatile nature of roster building in the current era of college basketball.
Q: How many years of eligibility does Gabe Cupps have left?
After playing only four games in the 2024-25 season due to knee surgery, Cupps is likely eligible for a medical redshirt, potentially giving him three remaining years of eligibility.
Q: Who else from Indiana has entered the transfer portal recently?
Several Indiana players have entered the portal, including leading scorer Malik Reneau, Mackenzie Mgbako, Jakai Newton, and Myles Rice, reflecting significant roster changes under the new coaching staff.
Q: Is this level of player movement common?
Yes, with the advent of the NCAA transfer portal and coaching changes, significant roster turnover has become increasingly common in college basketball.
For Ohio State Fans:: The Buckeyes gain a promising guard with local ties and multiple years of eligibility, adding depth to their backcourt.
For Indiana Fans:: This is part of a larger roster reset under new coach Darian DeVries. Expect more movement in and out via the transfer portal as the team rebuilds.
General Insight:: The transfer portal continues to be a major factor in college sports, allowing for rapid roster changes and impacting team dynamics significantly year-to-year.
The transfer portal continues to reshape college basketball rosters. How impactful do you think Gabe Cupps will be for the Buckeyes?
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