NCAA Basketball: Top 5 Players that have Played for Ohio State Head Coach Chris Holtmann

2. Keita Bates-Diop – Ohio State Buckeyes (2015-2018)

Career stats: 11.7 ppg 5.7 rpg 1.1 apg

He was only with Hotlmann for just one year, but the junior was the reason why the Buckeyes shocked the country this past season. Bates-Diop averaged 19.8 ppg and 8.7 rpg in route to winning the Big Ten Player of the Year Award.

His career-high performance came against Illinois, where he dropped 35 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. He finished his career with four straight 24+ point games, including 28 points against Gonzaga in the NCAA Tournament. Bates-Diop ultimately declared for the NBA Draft but left both Hotlmann and Ohio State in a fantastic place for future years.

1. Kellen Dunham – Butler Bulldogs (2013-16)

Career stats: 14.5 ppg 2.9 rpg 1.3 apg

The best pure scorer Holtmann has had to this point is Dunham, who averaged over 16 ppg in his final two seasons with Butler. He had nine 20+ point games his junior year and 11 the following season including a career-high 32 point performance.

Dunham led all scorers with 23 points in the Round of 64 win against Texas Tech, solidifying him as the best offensive player since Bulldog legend Gordon Hayward – although Martin might have something to say about that.

Next: Top 10 Butler Bulldog Players in the 21st Century

As I’ve said before, this is a premature list to do for Holtmann. But he already has compiled a list of really good players in his short career, with plenty more on the way. Ohio State fans should very happy about the next decade of basketball in Columbus.