Croatian Center Ivan Njegovan Signs With Ohio State

Comments Show All Comments

Buckeye BadDog's picture

“But admit there was no splendor in all the bright array
Like the glory of the going when Chic Harley got away.” -James Thurber

"Anything easy ain't worth a damn!" -Woody Hayes

HS
AntoineWinfieldsTurbine's picture

Hopefully he becomes  "The Croatian Sensation"

"It is easy to grin, when your ship comes in and you know you got the stock market beat. But a man worthwhile is a man who smiles, when his shorts are too tight in the seat." -Judge Smails

HS
ScarletGray43157's picture

Didn't see that one coming. Roster full, let's get it done!

In old Ohio there's a team that's known throughout the land...

HS
Thefirstcaveman's picture

Two 7 plus footers?  Have we had this in 30 plus years?

Thefirstcaveman

HS
slug's picture

I remember watching twin towers Perry Carter and Treg Lee, but looked it up and they were both only 6'8" lol

HS
OSUtopia's picture

Perry Carter's shoulders were 6'8"" apart....................

OSUtopia

HS
THE_OSU_MD's picture

I worked out next to him in Larkins back in the day.....his thighs are 6'8"

Hickory,NC Buckeye......."Because I couldn't go for three!"

HS
Ortonhallalumni's picture

Brick hands Perry Carter..ohh i remember those days on campus...

HS
ScarletGray43157's picture

Perry did not have an Ohio driver license. Rode his bicycle for main transportation. Never stopped working...

In old Ohio there's a team that's known throughout the land...

HS
BuckBornandBred's picture

My dad called him “Hands of Stone”! I thought he was pretty awesome as a middle schooler!

HS
SJA4Life's picture

Almost had it in 2008-09 if Koufos had come back another yet and played with BJ Mullens. 

Kyle Madsen would've played with both of them but i think he was just a hair under 7'. 

HS
youra6's picture

I went to high school with Kyle. He was always listed as either 6'9" or 6'10".

HS
Island Buck's picture

Grady Mateen and Bill Robinson. They played at the same time as Carter and Lee

Island Buck

HS
Squirrel Master's picture

Two 7 footers who can be considered decent outside shooters too. Both need work but I like how Diebs is recruiting shooters who have size. Its been a while!

I saw a UFO once.......it told me to have a goodyear!

HS
lamplighter's picture

Did Granville play with Herb (6'11")?

This is a forum post from a site member. It does not represent the views of Lamplighter LLC unless otherwise noted.

peidiwch â ffycin gyda'r Cymry
 

HS
iowabuckeyes's picture

Yes. Herb played 1977-81. Granville was 1979-83. Two year overlap.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke

HS
wyatt's picture

"Get the ball to Granville". I remember those chants. I think he was going bald in high school. As a senior in high school, Waiters helped Columbus East to a state championship over St. Joseph, who were led by eventual Buckeye and NBA player Clark Kellogg. RIP big guy. 

HS
tundra1's picture

Didn’t we almost have this with Velimir Radinovic & Matt Marinchick?

HS
BuckeyeBen7.7's picture

This is quite the interesting addition… I’m interested to see what his mobility and athleticism is at that size but it seems like he has potential. Welcome!

Edit: went back and watched the highlight video. Mobility/athleticism looks good. Love the passing ability. And that jump shot looks SMOOOOOOOTH. Great add to the roster!

HS
Waterbeagle's picture

Whatever he blocks, he destroys!

HS
stantmann's picture

OSU actually has a well rounded basketball team for the first time in many years. Diebler knows how to use that talent too. I love that it is well known that the basketball team is actually working on 3 point shooting, and succeeding at it. If 3 point shooting falls into place like it has been reported, then OSU will be a serious contender for the conference title and make some serious noise in the Tourney. 

Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect - Woody Hayes

HS
allbucksallthetime's picture

Congratulations to Coach Diebler and his staff on adding Ivan Njegovan.  The size and athleticism on this squad is a very different and welcome change for sure.  Go Bucks!

HS
Roadsidebeggar's picture

Is it 6’11 or 7’1?

Spare a buck?

HS
Thefirstcaveman's picture

Only one source seems to have him at 6-11, everything else has 7 or 7'1.

Thefirstcaveman

HS
ScarletGray43157's picture

Is there a weight listed anywhere? Looks wiry strong and athletic, just wondering.

In old Ohio there's a team that's known throughout the land...

HS
actionstanleyjackson's picture

Nice. Two 7 footers and Parks on the roster. Nice to see he has 4 years to be developed. Roster is compete and time to play 

Stay gold, Ponyboy.

HS
Bucknicks's picture

Big Project but nice shooting touch

HS
WezBuck28's picture

Good! We need some beef down low!

HS
ibuck's picture

some beef down low!

Has anyone seen his weight listed anywhere?  

He'll be  a freshman, so hopefully he'll gain weight & strength.

Our honor defend, we'll fight to the end !

"it's not magic, it's fundamentals" that lead to Ohio State's success. - Ryan Day

HS
Dirty419Boy's picture

Is signing a player from the former Yugoslavia going to get us probation like back in the day? 

HS
The Fonz's picture

Haha, Boban, getting all the milfs back in the day.

Ayyy!

HS
Codydew's picture

Think so long as they’re not trafficked here thru O’Brien’s New Jersey mob affiliates, we’ll be ok. 

tbdfitl

HS
actionstanleyjackson's picture

Dude has a good shot from 3. That is going to add a different dimension to the offense 

Stay gold, Ponyboy.

HS
cincybuck1312's picture

Red top banner definitely had me thinking this was for football, lol...

HS
Raider85's picture

Size and depth,hoping this kid is as good as Tony Kukoch in a couple years. Go Bucks can't wait to watch some hoops.

Raider85

HS
jongleur8287's picture

we have a full team now! now they can start to really gel together

HS
Cruiser79's picture

Really nice addition, Go Bucks !

Cruiser79

HS
Norm's picture

This is one Big BOOM

I'm too tired to get excited and I'm too old to be ashamed. 

HS
Run_Fido_Run's picture

I'm no basketball expert, but my guess: Dibeler likes to run; to run, you have to create turnovers and rushed shots; to create havoc, you have to play defense aggresdivle and sell out at times; it's good to have 7 footers to protect the rim when your outside defenders are taking chances.

HS
Buckeye Beast's picture

Don't know about Buckeye, but I've been assured by Croatian family members that the majority of young people over there speak English.

Established 1803

HS
Buckeye Beast's picture

As a Croatian, I approve.

Established 1803

HS
1975woody's picture

Good looking player. I haven't watched basketball in years, but is it normal for a 3-point shooting center to not collapse toward the basket after the shot? It seemed like with every one of his three-point shots, he would immediately start backing up on defense like he was ultra-confident that the ball was going in. I'm not so sure that's going to work well with the level of competition in the Big Ten and NCAA as a whole.

OH...

HS
wyatt's picture

Reminds me a little of Chet Holmgren (7'1", 207 lbs) of the OKC Thunder in the NBA. 

HS
Badjuju's picture

Euro big man, definitely can shoot behind the arc

HS
gbuck79's picture

Seems like a real project, hope it pans out

george baker

HS
11UrbzAndSpices's picture

Bum!

(I assure you, I translated boom into Croatian and Google tells me that it's bum)

"This is a tough team right here. We're proud to be from Ohio. It's always been Ohio against the world, and it will continue to be Ohio against the world."

HS
Cbuswriter's picture

Pfft, Google has it wrong.

Bum is British for butt.

HS
smibr37's picture

Be careful - that Croatian language can be tricky 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7109058.stm

I tried to find the video of it - no luck yet.

HS
Skunk bear blood's picture

Nice add to a promising roster!

HS
analyticalguy's picture

Serious question - how is a (European) pro basketball player eligible to play college basketball? Would a minor league baseball player be eligible to play college baseball?

I'm sure Diebler researched it, but I'm curious about the rule. It seems rather odd.

HS
analyticalguy's picture

Did he perhaps anticipate this and play for free in a pro league to audition for a college offer while maintaining eligibility?

HS
Sanitarian2's picture

D-1 student players have not played for "Free" for several years

Sani

HS
analyticalguy's picture

True (despite the veneer of amateur status). But does that allow a "non-veneered" pro... e.g, minor league baseball player... play the same sport for a college program? Maybe Serbian money isn't deemed to be real money?

HS
ibuck's picture

Serious question - how is a (European) pro basketball player eligible to play college basketball?

This signing is pretty late. One wonders: Did Diebler have to wait to see if the NCAA declared him eligible?

Our honor defend, we'll fight to the end !

"it's not magic, it's fundamentals" that lead to Ohio State's success. - Ryan Day

HS
AZ Buckeye13's picture

I was wondering the same thing. Maybe with rules changing the only factor is whether a player has college eligibility left. Also, perhaps international players are viewed differently from domestic players.

HS
lamplighter's picture

This is a forum post from a site member. It does not represent the views of Lamplighter LLC unless otherwise noted.

peidiwch â ffycin gyda'r Cymry
 

HS
buckeyeinWI's picture

BOOOM!

Nice pickup coach!

GO BUCKEYES!

GO BUCKEYES!

17-5 since 2001!

But 1-3 since 2019 REALLY SUCKS!

HS
BuckeyeinFlorida's picture

Welcome young man. Rebounds and scoring in the paint. All good stuff. Our last coach thought 6' 8" was a big man. Thank God he is gone.

HS
Art Harrell's picture

Welcome to " THE " Buckeye Nation...Where Great Players Become " Buckeye Legends " Go Bucks

HS
Ohio Guy in Jersey's picture

Welcome, Ivan!!!

I like the way he moves in space in the video, both on offense and defense. Those instincts can be hard to teach. Look forward to him joining the team

HS
jwilly's picture

Should be interesting to see how he actually stacks up and hopefully can provide some good bench minutes. 

JWilly3

HS
Chewbucca's picture

Finally, some depth at center.  I thought we would have it with Okpara and Bradshaw, but those hopes were treated to an immediate NIL fiery death.  Hoping for the best here. 

HS
LeftCoastBuckeye's picture

I didn't see his weight listed? He doesn't look skinny, but he'll need to have a certain heft to hold up in the B1G. 

My aim, then, is to whip the Weasels, to humble their pride, to follow them to their inmost recesses, and make them fear and dread us. Fear is the beginning of wisdom.   - William Tecumseh Sherman (with apologies)

HS
Urbane Meijer's picture

I have been wondering about NIL for Hero Kanu but this addition makes me ask: How does OSU handle NIL for international players? AFAIK student visa don't allow you to earn any money while in the US except for employment directly from the university. Are they getting paid directly from a corporation with branches outside the US? Do they just get no NIL?

HS
analyticalguy's picture

Maybe there is no NIL here. Maybe he simply values an athletic scholarship - room & board, free education and a chance to develop for a pro contract.

HS
Urbane Meijer's picture

Maybe.  But I know that other schools have done deals like I mentioned for prominent international players.  

I found this:

https://generalcounsel.uoregon.edu/name-image-and-likeness-international...

which seems authoritative.  But I am curious how OSU is handling it.

HS
DrBuckeye0's picture

International tall guy. We finally meet. Welcome to ohio

HS
buckeyeEddie27's picture

Hell yes. We got some BIGS

I know there's a game Saturday, and my ass will be there.

I Believe In Ohio State.

I'd like to know where Lou Holtz is right now.

HS
stpetebuck's picture

Diebler ahead of schedule on this, BOOM!  Man, how quickly a program can evolve with regime change.  

HS
sstein55's picture

Watched some videos of him, appears to have good hands and  is mobile. Gotta love that old school hook shot, showing my age on that. Of course he needs some work in the weight room. I could see him being a solid contributor in a year or two. So glad that small ball Holtman is gone, excited about upcoming season.

Steve

HS
TJG32's picture

A big BOOM, and I mean BIG. 

TG Proud Buckeye alumnus.

HS
Cakewalk23's picture

Now this is what Diebler needed!!  A big boom!

In Ryan Day & Ross Bjork We Trust.

HS
reddman22's picture

Good hands and great movement without the ball, especially loved the back cuts. We've got a damn solid team on paper, just need them to realize their potential and play like a team.

HS
fritziebuck's picture

Finally a coach who understands big men are important.    

HS
Buckster's picture

Diebler....moving mountains with Ivan and Glover. Get out of the way or get run over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO BUCKEYES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HS
StumpFickell's picture

I was wondering when The Buckeyes were going to get another former Yugo here. Good take. May there may more. 

StumpFickell

HS
Eddie43001's picture

Rim protection. Nice.

It is never right to do what is wrong.
It is never wrong to do what is right.
It is always right to do what is right.

HS