Ohio’s first big offseason splash came Monday morning on X, as former Toledo big man Javan Simmons announced his commitment to Ohio. Simmons initially announced his entry into the transfer portal March 24.
With Toledo, Simmons won Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year in 2023-24, earning a spot on the Preseason All-MAC First Team entering the 2024-25 season. Simmons put up averages of 12.5 points per game and 6.8 rebounds, shooting 56 percent from the field en route to an All-MAC Honorable Mention selection this past season.
Simmons, a Gahanna native, played a pivotal role in Ohio’s struggles against Toledo the past two seasons, holding a 5-0 record over his new team, including a first-round win in the MAC Tournament March 13. In the closing game of the 2024-25 regular season over Ohio, Simmons put up a career high 22 points on 10-of-10 shooting.
With the graduations of AJ Clayton and Vic Searls, Simmons will provide much-needed frontcourt depth for the Bobcats in the 2025-26 season.
