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Ohio State is in search of a new basketball coach, but their candidate pool just got a bit smaller due to an extension surrounding a possible target. Lamont Paris inked a new deal with South Carolina, removing his name from the hat in Columbus.
While that would seemingly be bad news for a program looking to make a splash, it could actually work to Ohio State’s benefit – at least if certain rumors surrounding LeBron James are true.
The Buckeyes fired Chris Holtmann earlier this year, who struggled to find success on the court over his last two seasons. Those struggles ironically came right after Holtmann signed an extension to remain on the sidelines, which forced OSU to pay a larger buyout.
With Holtmann gone, Jake Diebler took over in an interim role in an attempt to bridge the gap to the next hire.
Given Ohio State’s storied history on the hardwood, a few top names were immediately linked to the opening. Those included Dusty May – who led Florida Atlantic to the Final Four last year, former Arizona and current Xavier head coach Sean Miller, and up-and-coming Lamont Paris at South Carolina.
Paris was an intriguing target given his Big Ten experience at Wisconsin as an assistant under Bo Ryan. He’s also catapulted a Gamecock program that hasn’t been to the NCAA Tournament since 2017 to national relevance.
Picked to finish dead last in the SEC in Year 2 under Paris, South Carolina landed in a tie for second place at 13-5, just a game off the regular season crown.
To keep their leader in Columbia, the university extended Paris with a new six-year deal.
Lamont Paris has agreed to a new 6-year contract with South Carolina, source told @TheFieldOf68. First reported by @PeteThamel.
The Gamecocks were picked to finish last in the SEC and are 25-6 and 13-5 in the league.
That takes Paris out of the equation for Ohio State.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 14, 2024
Ohio State’s pool shrinks, but it might be good news – at least if the LeBron rumors are true!
Most would consider losing a top candidate to be a blow to the head coaching search, but it might work to the benefit of the Buckeyes.
Momentum has been picking up surrounding FAU’s Dusty May, with many believing him to be the No. 1 target. And for good reason!
After leading the Owls on an improbable Final Four run, he has his ’24 team sitting at 24-7 and primed for another NCAA Tournament appearance.
One of those tabbing May as the top option is said to be LeBron James, with rumors claiming that he’s offering the program both monetary incentive and his son’s commitment should May be hired as Ohio State’s next basketball coach.
A quick nugget on the OSU basketball coaching search (though if the Buckeyes keep playing the way they have lately maybe the search won’t be needed):
One name that has come up is FAU coach Dusty May, and he is the guy LeBron James is pushing for. Word is that if OSU does end up…
— CFB Focus 🏈 (@cffmwachsman) March 4, 2024
While Dusty May has denied any speculation linking him to either LeBron or the Buckeyes, a number of media outlets see it as a possibility.
Some even claim that James’s agency is pushing for the deal to get done.
Has May accomplished all he can at mid-major FAU? Maybe so, and his bank account would likely see a boost should he move into the Big Ten.
And if those LeBron whispers are true, his deal would come with both a top commitment and an instant donation to use for either NIL or facilities.
A win-win for everyone involved!
Are the rumors legitimate? That seems to be the million-dollar question! For now, the head coaching search continues.