Ivan Njegovan Announces Return to Ohio State Basketball After Promising Freshman Year Filled With Growth and Potential
Ivan Njegovan has made it official: he’s coming back to Columbus for another season. After weeks of speculation about his future, the rising sophomore confirmed that he will return to Ohio State for the 2025-26 men’s basketball season, opting to build on a freshman campaign that showed flashes of brilliance and laid the foundation for a promising college career. The announcement, which came via a simple social media post, has already stirred excitement among Buckeyes fans who saw enough last season to believe that Njegovan can be a key piece of the program’s future.
In a year where Ohio State experienced a mix of youthful inconsistency and bright moments, Njegovan stood out as one of the more intriguing newcomers. The 6-foot-9 forward from Ontario, Canada arrived in Columbus with limited national fanfare but quickly turned heads with his court awareness, passing touch, and willingness to do the little things that don’t always show up in the box score. Though he wasn’t the team’s primary option on offense, Njegovan carved out a meaningful role in the rotation and appeared in nearly every game, earning the trust of his coaches through consistent effort and improving performance.
Statistically, Njegovan’s freshman year wasn’t dominant, but it was a strong building block. He averaged 6.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting a respectable 47.5 percent from the field. He also showed range and confidence from beyond the arc, hitting 35 percent of his three-point attempts — a figure that could rise as he gains more experience and physical strength. More importantly, he often found himself on the floor in crucial moments of games, a sign that the coaching staff valued his poise and basketball IQ, even as a first-year player.
What makes Njegovan’s return particularly important for Ohio State is how it stabilizes the frontcourt heading into next season. With a few players graduating or exploring professional options, the Buckeyes were at risk of entering the 2025-26 season with a thinner rotation in the paint. Njegovan’s presence ensures that the team retains a versatile forward who can stretch the floor, rebound effectively, and facilitate offense from the high post. His decision also sends a message that he believes in the direction of the program and is committed to helping Ohio State return to national prominence.
This announcement comes during an offseason of change for Ohio State. With a new coaching staff beginning to establish its identity and new players arriving through the transfer portal and incoming recruiting class, continuity is at a premium. Njegovan’s return gives the Buckeyes a known quantity — someone who has already gone through the grind of a Big Ten season and understands the physical and mental demands of playing at a high level. That kind of experience, even in limited form, is invaluable, especially when blended with the energy and raw ability he brings to the table.
The Canadian big man was known in high school for his unselfish play and ability to read defenses — traits that translated well in his first year at the collegiate level. While other freshmen sometimes struggle to keep up with the pace or complexity of the game, Njegovan often looked like someone who had been studying film for years. His high assist numbers for a forward, especially early in the year, made him a valuable connector on offense. When the Buckeyes needed someone to help calm the flow of the game or find the open man out of a double team, he often delivered.
But as solid as his freshman year was, the decision to return wasn’t necessarily a foregone conclusion. With the growing number of players exploring professional options earlier in their careers — especially in Europe and the G League — and with NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities now factoring into the decision-making process, it wouldn’t have been shocking to see Njegovan test the waters. However, by choosing to return, he not only gives himself more time to develop physically and refine his skills but also positions himself as a potential breakout player in his sophomore year.
It’s worth noting how Njegovan fits into the evolving identity of Ohio State basketball. Under the new leadership, the Buckeyes are expected to lean into a more dynamic, positionless style of play, where bigs are asked to initiate offense, switch defensively, and stretch defenses with perimeter shooting. Njegovan checks nearly every one of those boxes. He’s agile enough to defend multiple positions, skilled enough to hit the open three, and smart enough to keep the ball moving on offense. With another offseason in the weight room and a full summer of development, the coaching staff likely sees him as a potential centerpiece of that vision.
Teammates and coaches have also spoken highly of Njegovan’s work ethic and attitude, something that factored into his consistent role last season. Even during stretches where the team struggled or when his own numbers dipped, he continued to bring energy on both ends of the floor. His buy-in to team success over individual stats is one of the reasons why fans are so excited about his return. He seems to represent a new culture the program is trying to instill — one focused on team-first basketball and gradual, steady development rather than chasing instant stardom.
Off the court, Njegovan has embraced life in Columbus. He’s become a familiar face at team events and has begun engaging more actively with fans and media. That willingness to connect with the community adds another layer to his value as a returning player. In an era where roster turnover is high and loyalty is often fleeting, players like Njegovan who choose to stay and grow with a program carry a different kind of weight. They become the glue guys — not just on the court, but within the broader culture of the team.
Looking ahead, expectations for Njegovan will undoubtedly increase. With a year under his belt, fans and coaches alike will look for him to take on a larger scoring role and become more assertive in games. There were flashes of this last season — games where he stepped into rhythm threes without hesitation, or took smaller defenders off the dribble for easy finishes. The goal now is consistency. If he can become a nightly double-digit scorer while maintaining his passing and rebounding contributions, Ohio State’s offense could take a significant leap forward.
Defensively, Njegovan still has room to grow, particularly when it comes to physical post defense against stronger forwards. That’s expected, given his age and frame. But he showed enough lateral quickness and timing as a help defender to suggest he can become a more impactful presence on that end of the floor. As he adds strength and continues to study film, his instincts — already advanced — could make him one of the better two-way forwards in the Big Ten.
Njegovan’s return also gives the team more flexibility in terms of lineups. His ability to play both the four and the five opens the door for creative rotations and allows the coaching staff to adapt to different matchups. Whether paired with a traditional big man or slotted in as a small-ball center, he gives the Buckeyes a number of strategic options. That versatility could prove critical in close games and late-season matchups that determine postseason positioning.
In many ways, Ivan Njegovan’s story is just beginning. He arrived in Columbus as a relatively unknown international recruit and leaves his freshman year as one of the most intriguing returning players on the roster. With his foundation already in place, the stage is now set for a breakout sophomore campaign — one where his name could become more widely recognized across the country.
But more than that, his return signals a belief in the program, the coaches, and the future being built at Ohio State. In an offseason that will feature transfers, new faces, and inevitable questions, one answer is clear: Ivan Njegovan is back, and he’s ready to take the next step — not just for himself, but for the Buckeyes.
