Thad Matta did not provide any additional information Friday regarding the eligibility of freshman forward Mickey Mitchell and there is currently no timetable for his return, but the Ohio State head coach did say the Buckeyes were hoping he would be able to return to the team this season.
“We’re just in the middle of the process right now and obviously we’re not able to talk about it,” Matta said during a press conference Friday. “He’s been great; very, very upbeat, playing his rear end off every day in practice.
“Obviously he would like to play, but understands what’s going on and his spirits have been good and he continues to work very hard.”
In a statement released by the school Tuesday, it was announced Mitchell “has not been cleared to compete for the Ohio State men’s basketball team by the NCAA Eligibility Center.” It was stated in the press release Mitchell was still able to practice with the team, but could not participate in games.
Matta said he had been aware of the situation "for about a month or so," but could not get into specifics as to why Mitchell was ruled ineligible.
Mitchell — a 6-foot-7 freshman forward and four-star recruit from Plano, Texas — is part of Ohio State’s highly-touted five-man freshman class. He was expected to help contribute this season to a team loaded with young, but inexperienced talent.
For the foreseeable future, however, the Buckeyes will be without Mitchell’s services.
“[Mitchell] has handled it very well; he doesn’t show it at all,” sophomore forward Keita Bates-Diop said. “It’s obviously tough for him not being able to play, but in practice he brings energy, effort every day no matter what.”
Ohio State plays its only exhibition of the season 4 p.m. Sunday against Walsh at the Schottenstein Center. The Buckeyes open the regular season Nov. 15 against Mount St. Mary’s.
