America's birthday became happier for Thad Matta on Friday when coveted 2015 center Daniel Giddens gave a verbal commitment to play for Ohio State.
Giddens, a four-star prospect from Marietta, Ga., and the No. 64 prospect in the country according to Scout.com, picked the Buckeyes over Indiana, Arizona, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Florida and Kansas, telling Scout national recruiting analyst Brian Snow, "I feel like they have the best coaching staff in America, the players have high character and the fans are great."
A renowned rebounder and shot blocker, the 6-10 Giddens will join a frontcourt in transition in Columbus following the graduation of Amir Williams and Anthony Lee, a transfer from Temple who will have one year of eligibility for the Buckeyes.
Giddens is the fourth four-star prospect in Matta's 2015 class, joining Dayton Dunbar point guard A.J. Harris, Rockwall, Texas, shooting guard Austin Grandstaff and Plano (Texas) West small forward Mickey Mitchell. All are rated as top 20 players nationally at their position, with Grandstaff and Harris both in their respective top 10s.
In 2015-16, Ohio State will also gain the services of Trevor Thompson, a transfer from Virginia Tech who must sit out this coming season to satisfy NCAA rules.
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