Gabe Cupps will make his fresh start two states over in 2026-27.
The former Ohio State guard committed Tuesday to the University of Illinois Chicago for his redshirt junior season of basketball.
A downgrade in competition in the Missouri Valley Conference should allow Cupps a better chance to shine after a disappointing lone season at Ohio State in 2025-26. He played just 12.3 minutes per game and offered little on the offensive end of the floor, recording just 1.7 points and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 37.8% from the field.
Cupps spent his first two seasons at Indiana. He earned a starting role with the Hoosiers as a freshman, though he recorded only 2.6 points and 1.2 assists per game, before an injury cost him all but four games of his second season, and he took a redshirt. He transferred to his hometown Ohio State ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Forward Devin Royal (Villanova), guard Taison Chatman and wings Mathieu Grujicic and Colin White join Cupps as transfer portal departures from the Buckeyes. Ohio State has added back guard Justin Pippen (Cal) and forward Andrija Jelavić (Kentucky). Jake Diebler and staff are still looking to pick up another guard and likely two wings for additional depth.
