Four-Star Guard Dorian Jones Requests Release from Ohio State, Reopens Recruitment
COLUMBUS, OH – In a significant turn of events for Ohio State’s 2025 basketball recruiting class, four-star shooting guard Dorian Jones has officially requested his release from the program and will reopen his recruitment, sources confirmed Wednesday. The decision comes just days after Jones indicated he would not be enrolling at Ohio State for the upcoming season, opting instead for a developmental year before college.
Jones, a highly-touted 6-foot-3 prospect from Richmond Heights High School in Cleveland, was the top-ranked player in Ohio for the 2025 class and the second-highest ranked commit for the Buckeyes. His original commitment to Ohio State in July of last year was a major coup for the program, with Jones choosing the Buckeyes over offers from prominent schools like Rutgers, Michigan, and Missouri.
The news of his full release request follows a since-deleted Instagram post from last Friday, where Jones stated, “As I reflect on my development, this next year is an opportunity for me to grow more prior to college. I won’t be enrolling at Ohio State this year, but I look forward to continuing our relationship.” While that initial message suggested a potential path back to Columbus, his formal request for release signals a definitive end to his tenure as an Ohio State commit.
Speculation around Jones’s decision has largely centered on academic eligibility issues, which are believed to be the primary reason for his plan to take a developmental year at either a junior college or preparatory school. While Ohio State had reportedly maintained a relationship with Jones even after his initial announcement, the request for a full release indicates a desire to explore all collegiate options rather than a delayed enrollment with the Buckeyes.
For head coach Jake Diebler and the Ohio State program, Jones’s departure is a notable setback. Diebler, who took over the program during the 2023-24 season, is already facing pressure to elevate the Buckeyes back to consistent NCAA Tournament contention. Losing a highly-rated in-state prospect before he even steps on campus is not an ideal look for a program in transition.
With Jones no longer in the fold, Ohio State’s 2025 high school recruiting class is now reduced to two prospects: four-star power forward A’mare Bynum and guard Myles Herro. The Buckeyes have also been active in the transfer portal, securing commitments from several experienced players to bolster their roster.
Dorian Jones now re-enters the recruiting landscape as one of the most intriguing uncommitted prospects in the 2025 class. His talent as a scorer and defender, coupled with his athleticism, will undoubtedly attract attention from numerous programs. The coming months will be crucial as Jones navigates his developmental year and re-evaluates his options for his collegiate future. For Ohio State, the focus now shifts to maximizing the current roster and continuing to build for the future without one of their key in-state targets.
