COLUMBUS — Ohio State men’s basketball has its first commitment for the 2027 recruiting class.
Four-star power forward Deng Ngor committed to the Buckeyes on Thursday, giving head coach Jake Diebler an athletic, versatile prospect around whom he can begin building the class.
Ngor plays for Fort Erie International Academy in Ontario, Canada. The 6-foot-8, 200-pound forward is ranked as the No. 95 overall prospect and No. 18 power forward in the 2027 class, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Ohio State offered Ngor in May, as assistant coach Luke Simons, who has played an important role in the Buckeyes’ international recruiting efforts, made him a priority as his recruitment gained momentum.
Ngor took an official visit to Columbus during the weekend of Ohio State’s football opener against Ball State. He had additional visits scheduled with Washington, Florida and Duke, but the Buckeyes made enough of an impression that he canceled the rest and committed to Ohio State.
That is a nice recruiting victory for Diebler and his staff, especially after Duke and Florida entered the picture following Ngor’s strong summer.
Ngor’s motor and defensive versatility are currently the strongest parts of his game. His length and athleticism allow him to defend multiple positions, challenge shots and make plays around the basket. Offensively, he remains a developing shooter but has shown a soft touch, a quick release and better passing ability than one might expect from a young power forward.
He averaged 10.2 points, four rebounds, three assists and 1.2 steals while helping Canada win the 2026 FIBA U18 AmeriCup. Ngor delivered one of his best performances in the championship game, scoring 15 points and recording three steals as Canada defeated the United States, 67-65.
The Buckeyes identified him early, made him feel like a priority and closed the deal before their competition could get him on campus.
