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Jeff Borzello
Ohio State has been added penn state transfer puff johnson He was added to its roster Friday morning after being granted a temporary restraining order pending immediate eligibility.
“We are excited to have Puff join our program,” said coach Jake Diebler. “This has been a long process for him and his family. We are happy for him and look forward to him getting on the court.”
Johnson spent three seasons North Carolina and two seasons at Penn State, but most of his career was hampered by injuries, including his 2024–25 season at Penn State, which was cut short after 17 games. In a complaint filed in Franklin County Court, Johnson and his attorneys argued that Penn State trainers and medical staff misdiagnosed the right wrist injury that was originally suffered on Dec. 10. He did not miss any chances due to a wrist injury – sitting out only one game due to injury – but then suffered a wrist injury. michigan state On 15 January. He had surgery on a broken wrist a week later and missed the rest of the season.
Johnson and his lawyers cited an orthopedic surgeon who said Johnson’s wrist never fully healed from its initial injury, and he should not have been allowed to return to play. As a result, he argued, the misdiagnosis caused Johnson to participate in more games than the NCAA’s redshirt limit.
Ohio State applied for a medical hardship waiver on Johnson’s behalf after he committed to the Buckeyes last spring, but the NCAA denied it.
In November, Johnson sued the NCAA in federal court for immediate eligibility but was denied; A month later, the court denied Johnson even an evidentiary hearing.
Johnson later changed attorneys and refiled in state court, dismissing his federal lawsuit.
On Friday morning, Judge Sherrill K. Munson granted Johnson a temporary restraining order, granting him immediate eligibility in the state of Ohio.
Johnson, a top 100 recruit in the 2020 class, had the best season of his college career last year before getting injured. He averaged 10.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in 17 games, including 13 points and 5 boards in a December win. Purdue.
Ohio State (11-5, 3-3 Big Ten) host UCLA before playing on saturday minnesota On Tuesday.
