Ohio State has added another veteran guard to its 2026-27 roster.
Former Duquesne guard Jimmie Williams will transfer to Ohio State. A native of Solon, Ohio, he was a third-team All-Atlantic 10 performer in 2025-26.
Williams, a fifth-year senior, is fresh off a breakout season with the Dukes in 2025-26, where he averaged 15.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. He shot 46.3% from the field and 33.9% from three and picked up a team-high 1.6 steals per game on the defensive side, using his length at 6-foot-5 to challenge offenses on the perimeter.
The Williams File
- Year: Redshirt Senior
- Size: 6-5/210
- Pos: G
- Previous Schools: Duquesne (2025-26), South Florida (2024-25), Wallace State (2022-24)
- 2025-26 Stats: 15.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.6 SPG
Ohio State will be the fourth destination of Williams' college career as he's slowly climbed the ranks to high-major basketball. He started his career in junior college at Wallace State CC, but impressed enough in his second season, 2023-24, to transfer to South Florida. He scored 22.5 points with 8.3 rebounds and 5 assists per game in his final year at Wallace State and was named a National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American.
Williams picked up 7.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game coming off the bench for South Florida in 2024-25, adding a larger 3-point threat than he did at Duquesne by shooting 40% from behind the arc.
Williams will give the Buckeyes another well-rounded contributor at guard. He's been a competent distributor throughout his career, and he excels at getting to the basket for finishes both on the ball through dribble moves and off it through cuts. If he returns to form as a 3-point shooter, he could be a scoring threat at all three levels. His perimeter defense is excellent, too, a component Ohio State missed at times in 2025-26. His 6-foot-5 frame fueled his great steal numbers and let him get involved on the glass, and could allow him to play on the wing should the Buckeyes need him to.
The Atlantic-10 features decent competition, though Williams will still see a rise in talent level as he comes to the Big Ten. He's got production on both ends of the floor and plenty of experience to add to Ohio State's roster. John Mobley Jr. is testing the NBA draft waters, but if he comes back to the Buckeyes, Williams may contend with Cal transfer Justin Pippen for the Buckeyes' second starting guard spot. Pippen is the more likely starter, but Williams should be a great first option off the bench at guard.
| POS | PLAYER | YEAR | 2025-26 STATS | STARS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | JUSTIN PIPPEN | JR | 14.2 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.9 SPG | ★★★★ |
| F | ANDRIJA JELAVIĆ | SO | 5.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 0.7 APG, 0.3 BPG | ★★★★ |
| G | JIMMIE WILLIAMS | SR (RS) | 15.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.6 SPG | ★★★ |
Ohio State has also added former Kentucky forward Andrija Jelavić from the portal. The Buckeyes could seek another guard for depth, but will definitely hunt for more wing depth to pair with five-star freshman Anthony Thompson, though Williams can play on the wing as well. More depth in the frontcourt is on the table, too.
