Ohio State F Brice Sensabaugh Declares For 2023 NBA Draft, Maintains Eligibility to Return
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Ohio State Buckeyes forward Brice Sensabaugh is taking his talents to the NBA, he announced on Twitter Saturday.
The program’s fourth-best all-time freshman scorer and 2022 All-Big Ten Freshman Team honoree is a projected first-round selection after averaging a team-high 16.3 points per game.
Sensabaugh said in his statement he will maintain his eligibility for a possible return to Ohio State.
"To be a part of this brotherhood was a dream of mine growing up, and with this freshman year under my belt, I can say that it exceeded my expectations by a long shot," Sensabaugh said in a statement. "A special thanks to my coaches for their teachings and trust. To my teammates, I love y'all boys and I will never forget the numerous memories that we made together."
The Orlando, FL. native showcased his ability to score and make tough baskets from the minute he stepped on the floor, opening his Ohio State career with a 17-point performance on 5-for-8 from the field.
When the then-No. 23 Buckeyes traveled to Madison Square Garden to face the North Carolina Tar Heels, it was Sensabaugh who took the dribble to the left block, pulled up and knocked down a go-ahead shot with two seconds to go in regulation as part of a 22-point game.
In Ohio State’s Jan. 21 home win against the Iowa Hawkeyes, Sensabaugh shot lights out. He went 10-of-12 from the floor, 4-for-5 from deep and a perfect 3-for-3 at the free throw line as part of his career-high 27 points.
A four-game rough patch dropped his scoring average by more than a point, as he scored 13, 14, four, and eight points, respectively.
However, he turned it around to finish the regular season, scoring at least 20 points in three of the Buckeyes’ final five games ahead of the Big Ten Tournament.
Sensabaugh nearly notched a double-double in the opening-round win against Wisconsin on March 8 but was held to nine points while grabbing 11 rebounds.
Against Iowa on March 9, Sensabaugh shot 8-for-14 and scored 16 points, but missed the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds with a season-ending knee injury.
Sensabaugh made a layup with 12:21 to go against the Hawkeyes for the 534th and 535th points of his first year in Columbus, passing Kosta Koufos for the fourth-most points by a freshman in program history. One more bucket down the stretch was his last of the season, ending his freshman campaign with 537 points — the fourth most by any Buckeye in the last 10 seasons.
Sensabaugh could be the Buckeyes' second one-and-done in as many years as guard Malaki Branham was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs last season.
Testing the waters through the NBA draft process isn't uncommon from former Ohio State basketball players, as E.J. Liddell did so two years ago, before returning to the Buckeyes for his junior season and being drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans in last year's draft.
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