Ohio State Basketball Picks Up G Dale Bonner in Transfer Portal, What It Means For Bronny James
Former Baylor Bears guard Dale Bonner announced Monday he was transferring to the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Bonner marks the second transfer head coach Chris Holtmann has picked up this offseason, after the Buckeyes grabbed a commitment from Minnesota transfer forward Jamison Battle April 6. Bonner played in 29 games and started four last season, averaging 19.4 minutes, 4.7 points and 1.2 rebounds per game, having the most steals and third-most assists on the Bears with 40 and 79, respectively.
"Let's work!" Bonner tweeted after he announced his commitment.
Former head coach and ESPN college basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla tweeted after Bonner's commitment that he was a "terrific young man" and an "excellent team guy!"
Bonner, a Shaker Heights, OH. native, started his career at Division II Fairmont State for former Falcons and now Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla.
After redshirting his true freshman season in 2018-19, Bonner averaged 19.1 points, five rebounds and assists each and 2.1 steals across 50 games through the next two seasons.
He transferred to Baylor in 2021-22, spending two seasons in Waco, TX. where he averaged 3.9 points, 1.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals in 60 games.
This makes the Bronny James sweepstakes a little more interesting as well.
The top-50 uncommitted recruit has Ohio State in his final three, getting crystal balled to USC earlier this month, but it's unclear how much scholarship space the Buckeyes would have for James if he were to commit.
Programs are allowed 13 scholarships per team, and with the projected roster already at six guards and 15 players — assuming Brice Sensabaugh keeps his name in the NBA draft pool — that muddies the waters for a commitment from James.
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