Maybe you’ve seen the name pop up in a box score late on a Tuesday night. Maybe you remember the hype from his days at Ottawa-Glandorf. Honestly, if you aren't a die-hard Buckeye fan, you might have overlooked Colin White Ohio State contributions so far.
He isn't a 20-point-per-game scorer right now. He isn't the guy taking the last-second shots in the Big Ten gauntlet.
But if you look closer, there’s something fascinating happening with the 6-foot-6 sophomore.
The Kid From Ottawa Who Conquered Ohio
Before he ever put on a scarlet and gray jersey, Colin White was basically a legend in Northwest Ohio. We’re talking about a kid who joined LeBron James as the only players in Ohio high school history to start on a state final four team four years in a row. Think about that for a second. LeBron James. That’s the air Colin was breathing at Ottawa-Glandorf.
He didn't just show up; he dominated.
As a senior, he was dropping 25.1 points and grabbing over 8 rebounds every single night. He became the first player in his school’s history to clear 2,000 career points. When he won the 2024 Ohio Mr. Basketball award, it wasn't a surprise to anyone who had seen him play. He was a consensus top-125 recruit, choosing Ohio State over schools like Cincinnati, TCU, and Northwestern.
He was the "hometown hero" recruit that every coach wants.
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Colin White Ohio State: A Tough Transition
College basketball is a different beast.
You go from being "The Man" who takes every shot to being a freshman trying to find 10 minutes of floor time. Colin's first year in Columbus (2024-25) was a bit of a rollercoaster. He appeared in 19 games and averaged just over one point and one rebound.
Injury didn't help.
An ankle issue sidelined him during the heart of the Big Ten schedule. It’s hard to find a rhythm when you’re in a walking boot while your teammates are battling Michigan and Purdue. Still, he showed flashes. He knocked down a couple of three-pointers against Evansville and hit a massive shot in a double-overtime win at Minnesota.
Small moments? Sure. But they showed he wasn't afraid of the stage.
Breaking Down the Sophomore Slump or Surge?
Entering the 2025-26 season, there was a lot of talk about how Jake Diebler would use him. Diebler loves versatility, and White fits that mold. He’s 6-foot-6 but moves like a guard.
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So far this season, the numbers are still modest. He’s averaging about 0.8 points and 1.1 rebounds in roughly 8-9 minutes per game. He even got a surprise start against Appalachian State back in November. He played 17 minutes that night. He didn't score, which I know looks bad on paper, but he grabbed four boards and played solid defense.
That’s the thing with Colin White.
He’s currently a "glue guy." He’s the player who enters the game to give a starter a breather, stays in his lane, and doesn't make mistakes. In a January 2026 game against Oregon, he played 9 minutes. Zero points. But he had an assist and didn't turn the ball over. For a coach, that’s sometimes more valuable than a high-volume shooter who’s a liability on the other end.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Role
There’s this misconception that if a Mr. Basketball winner isn't starting by his second year, he’s a "bust."
That's just not how modern college basketball works anymore, especially with the transfer portal. Ohio State’s roster is old. You’ve got seniors like Bruce Thornton and Brandon Noel taking the lion’s share of the shots.
White is playing the long game.
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He’s physically bigger now—listed at 205 to 220 pounds depending on which roster sheet you’re looking at. He’s learning how to defend Big Ten wings who are 23 years old.
Why You Should Actually Care
If you’re a Buckeyes fan, you’re looking for who takes over when this veteran core leaves. White has the pedigree. He shot nearly 50% from the field on the AAU circuit with Indiana Elite. He’s a winner. You don't go to four straight state final fours by accident.
His shooting splits are currently a bit wonky because the sample size is so small. He’s only taking one or two shots a game. It’s hard to get your "eye in" when you only get one look every three days.
But the mechanics are there. The IQ is there.
Practical Next Steps for Following Colin's Growth
If you want to see if the Colin White Ohio State hype is real, don't just check the points column. Watch these three things during the next few Big Ten games:
- Defensive Rotations: See if he’s getting lost on screens. This season, he’s been much sharper on his help-side defense.
- The "Extra" Pass: White is a high-IQ player. He often passes up a "good" shot for a teammate’s "great" shot.
- Physicality: Watch how he handles contact on the boards. He’s much stronger than he was as a freshman.
The road from Ottawa to a starring role in Columbus is long. It’s not a sprint. But for Colin White, the foundation is being built one 8-minute shift at a time. Keep an eye on the box scores as we hit February and March; that's usually when the "glue guys" start sticking.
Check the official Ohio State Athletics site for live updates on the roster, or follow the Big Ten Network's player tracking for his advanced defensive metrics.