Ohio State has secured the commitment of Vuk Lazarevic, a 7-foot-1 center from Serbia, adding to their growing collection of new players. This move brings the total of newcomers for the Buckeyes to seven.
Lazarevic's arrival marks a significant addition to the team's frontcourt. He previously played for KK Crvena Zvezda's youth program in Serbia, where his stats showed an average of 6.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in the ABA League. His inclusion joins four other transfers: Justin Pippen (Cal), Andrija Jelavic (Kentucky), Jimmie Williams (Duquesne), and Curtis Givens (Memphis). The team also anticipates the arrival of two freshmen: five-star small forward Anthony Thompson (ranked No. 10 nationally) and three-star small forward Alex Smith (ranked No. 148 nationally), under coach Jake Diebler. This influx of talent follows a season where Ohio State finished with a 21-13 overall record, securing eighth place in the Big Ten.
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The addition of Lazarevic signals a strategic reinforcement of the team's lineup, particularly in the center position.
Background Echoes
This commitment follows a period of active recruitment for Ohio State across various sports. In football, the 2026 recruiting class has seen numerous commitments, including players like Jaeden Ricketts, Maxwell Riley, Simeon Caldwell, and Corbyn Fordham, with various rankings and positional focuses.
Further context on Lazarevic's potential interest in US collegiate basketball emerged earlier this year, in February 2026, when reports indicated that another Serbian center, Lazar Stojkovic (also playing for Crvena Zvezda and averaging 15.0 points and 7.7 rebounds), had scheduled official visits to institutions including Kansas, Baylor, and Ohio State. While this specific mention pertains to Stojkovic, it highlights a broader trend of international talent being scouted by major American programs.
