Justin Pippen Joins Ohio State for 2026-27 Season

The veteran guard joins the Buckeyes after playing at both Michigan and California.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Basketball

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a basketball player in scarlet and gray moving across a court. — Justin Pippen has officially joined the Ohio State men's basketball team for the 2026-27 season following transfers from Michigan and California. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you prefer college teams that rely on high-profile transfers over home-grown student athletes?

Following stints at Michigan and California, Justin Pippen has officially transferred to Ohio State University for the 2026-27 basketball season. Pippen participated in two exhibition games for the Buckeyes during October 2026 ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Why it matters

The addition of an experienced guard provides immediate depth for Ohio State as the team prepares to navigate a competitive schedule. Pippen brings significant collegiate experience following his tenure at two previous programs.

Pippen averaged 14.2 points over 30.8 minutes per game during 32 appearances at California, marking a significant increase from his 6.7 minutes per game at Michigan. He recently recorded 10 points and 25 minutes played in Ohio State's 82-73 victory over Butler.

The players

Justin Pippen

He is a college basketball guard who is entering his first season with Ohio State University following previous stops at Michigan and California.

Ohio State University

This public research university located in Columbus fields competitive NCAA Division I basketball teams.

The details

Pippen transitioned into the Ohio State rotation throughout October, earning a starting role by the second exhibition matchup. While the team fell to Cincinnati 79-68, the guard demonstrated his ability to contribute as a playmaker across both exhibition contests.

Justin Pippen played for Michigan during the 2024-25 season.
Justin Pippen played for California during the 2025-26 season.
Pippen transferred to Ohio State during the offseason of 2026.
Pippen played in Ohio State exhibition games throughout October 2026.
The college basketball season begins in November 2026.

Season Trajectory

Pippen's transition aligns with the broader trend of high-impact players utilizing the NCAA transfer portal to reset their collegiate paths. His arrival helps solidify the Ohio State rotation as the Buckeyes aim to stabilize their backcourt production for the upcoming season.

Pippen's promotion to the starting lineup during the Butler exhibition suggests he is currently favored for significant minutes in the backcourt rotation. His scoring output in these games indicates he will likely be a primary offensive option for the team this season.

The takeaway

Players transferring between multiple major programs are becoming a standard feature of modern collegiate rosters. Fans should watch how Pippen integrates into the team system over the first few weeks of non-conference play to gauge his long-term impact.