Justin Pippen Transfers to Ohio State for 2026-27 Season

Justin Pippen, the son of NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen, will continue his collegiate basketball career at Ohio State. The guard, who previously played for Michigan and Cal, is expected to join the Buckeyes as a junior for the 2026-27 season.

Collegiate Career Overview

Pippen's most recent season was his most productive. During his sophomore year at Cal (2025-26), he emerged as a key contributor:

Pippen averaged 14.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game for the Golden Bears.

His 1.9 steals per game ranked fifth in the ACC, highlighting his defensive impact. Offensively, he shot 37% from the field, with nearly half of his 11.2 shot attempts per game coming from three-point range (5.2 attempts).

His playmaking stood out in particular. His 4.6 assists per game placed him seventh in the ACC. Furthermore, his assist percentage of 29% in 2025-26 would have been the highest for any Ohio State player since JaQuan Lyle in the 2016-17 season.

His freshman season at Michigan (2024-25) was more limited, averaging 1.6 points and 0.6 assists in 6.7 minutes per game. Pippen was ranked as the No. 106 prospect in the 2024 recruiting class.

Fit at Ohio State

Pippen is projected to step into a starting guard role immediately. He is expected to help fill the void left by the departure of Bruce Thornton (graduation) and guards Gabe Cupps and Taison Chatman (transfer portal).

Pippen's addition is the first of several expected transfer portal acquisitions for head coach Jake Diebler's team in 2026-27.

He could potentially start alongside junior John Mobley Jr. The Buckeyes' roster building is ongoing, as the team is still seeking a starting center and additional depth pieces.

Defensively, Pippen brings proven metrics. He recorded 1.8 defensive win shares in the ACC during the past season, indicating his value on that end of the floor.