Former Ohio State men's basketball star, future doctor, current Big Ten media member? Aaron Craft can do it all.
On Tuesday, Craft attended Big Ten Media Days with Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann, guards Bruce Thornton and Roddy Gayle Jr. and forward Jamison Battle, who transferred from Minnesota in the offseason.
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— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) October 10, 2023
After Holtmann addressed the media and described the outlook of Ohio State men's basketball in 2023-24, the seventh-year head coach fielded questions from reporters at the Target Center in Minneapolis. One of those "reporters" was Craft, who announced he was credentialed with "Beyond the Big 10."
A wholesome interaction ensued between the pair of Buckeyes.
Aaron Craft. Baller, doctor, journalist? pic.twitter.com/5t6BeGvqIt
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) October 10, 2023
"Hey, Coach, good to see you," Craft said.
"What's up, Aaron," Holtmann responded.
"Aaron Craft, Beyond the Big 10. Just curious, going into an offseason after a season like you had, what were things you hoped to accomplish in the offseason, and was there anything in particular that you got excited about that happened this offseason?"
"Are you a member of the media now?"
"I have a credential today."
Holtmann laughed.
"Dr. Craft here soon," he said. "Aaron, thank you for the question. You know because you have been around, Aaron. When you go through a season like that, I think you are looking for the work of your guys and what that looks like. I think Bruce has led the way there. The consistency of his work and his approach has been a really good thing to see. it's also been contagious.
"When you go through struggles like that, what you really hope is you have guys returning who have those scars, that scar tissue, and can remember those moments. I think that really provides beneficial things moving forward. That's what we get to see this year."
Beyond the Big 10 was created by former Ohio State men's basketball star Evan Turner and his NBA teammate, Andre Iguodala, a former Arizona Wildcat and four-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors. According to its website, Beyond the Big 10 is "a network of podcasts that aims to be your go-to resource for Big Ten men's basketball" and features a "lineup of hosts are ex-Big Ten players, media, and insiders" to give fans an inside look at the Big Ten.
Ohio State's Beyond the Big 10 podcast is called "CarXen's Crew" and includes Craft, former Buckeyes Jared Sullinger and David Lighty and Columbus Dispatch men's basketball beat reporter Adam Jardy.
