Yes, you read that right. Former Kentucky basketball player Aaron Bradshaw joined Ohio State after entering the transfer portal earlier this season. In Columbus, Bradshaw has emerged as an important component of the Buckeyes’ roster, averaging 7.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. He also started all four games for the team, boasting a 37.9% shooting accuracy. However, all this wasn’t enough for him to suit up for their next game against Campbell.

Despite missing key contributors, Bradshaw and his on-court partner Sean Stewart, the Buckeyes crossed the 100-point mark in their emphatic win, capped off by a dunk from Colin White. Stewart was sidelined due to a concussion, but Bradshaw’s absence raised many eyebrows.

Why was Bradshaw out from Thursday’s game?

Hours after the game, the team announced that Bradshaw would not be participating in team activities. “The university is following its established process. Due to federal privacy laws, we cannot share further information at this time,” read the statement.

Naturally, this fueled even more speculation. While there’s no clear answer, one thing is certain: Bradshaw’s absence signals something significant. And while the university remains tight-lipped, Bradshaw had been a regular on the team after he left Kentucky in the wake of coach John Calipari’s departure.

In July, Bradshaw was ranked among the top six players in collegiate basketball with great potential. During his time at Kentucky, he averaged 4.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, appearing in 26 games with a remarkable 57.6% shooting accuracy from the field. He picked up the pace in Ohio.

Aaron Bradshaw could be a breakout star in the making

One of his best performances came last season against Penn, where he tallied 17 points and 11 rebounds, leading Kentucky to victory. Standing 7-foot-1, Bradshaw was ranked as the No. 5 overall player in his high schools class, named a McDonald’s All American, and brought size to the Buckeyes. “Buckeye nation lock in!” he had announced on Instagram in April.

Interestingly, his former Kentucky coach, John Calipari, also considered inking a deal with Ohio State before eventually joining Arkansas basketball.

Looking ahead, Bradshaw’s return could prove crucial for Ohio State, especially with a challenging Big Ten schedule on the horizon. With five teams in the top 25, the Big Ten presents a tough conference, but fortunately, it doesn’t kick off until December 4. This gives Bradshaw time to return and make his mark in what could be a breakout season.