Ohio State Buckeyes Guard Emma Shumate Enters Transfer Portal

Ohio State's instant offense in Emma Shumate is leaving the program.

Ohio State's offseason is not off to a great start.

Just three days after losing in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to Duke, head coach Kevin McGuff is losing sophomore guard Emma Shumate to the transfer portal, she posted on Instagram Wednesday.

In her post, the Dresden, Ohio, native expressed how much it meant to play for the Buckeyes.

"I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to play for my home state of Ohio. I am taking some truly invaluable memories and friendships with me," Shumate said.

Mar 22, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Emma Shumate (5) hits a three pointer

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA

Shumate came in as a freshman in 2022 and played 31 games, averaging 11.2 minutes per game. Perhaps a reason she is leaving the program is because those numbers dipped this season, playing just 9.6 minutes in 27 games but averaging four points per game.

The sophomore provided instant offense for the Buckeyes when they found trouble scoring, leading the team with a 41.8 percent clip from downtown on just under 70 attempts.

However, Shumate likely would have been a prime returner for the Buckeyes with the backcourt of Jacy Sheldon and Celeste Taylor graduating from the program.

In addition to Sheldon and Taylor, others who participated in Senior Day included graduate forward Rebeka Mikulasikova, senior forwards Eboni Walker, Karla Vres, Taiyier Parks, and senior guard Rikki Harris.

Shumate eclipsed double-digit points just twice in her career, going for 10 against Boston College on Nov. 16, 2023, and posting 22 points in 22 minutes on Dec. 5, 2023.

McGuff said postgame vs. Wisconsin on Feb. 1 that it's not easy to substitute a player in and have them provide instant offense after sitting for so long. Shumate had six points from two 3-pointers that game.

"[She's] playing with more confidence," McGuff said.

With Shumate, along with seven other players expected to leave the program, McGuff may have his work cut out for him this offseason.