Taison Chatman appears to be on the road back.
A highly-touted guard out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Chatman showed glimpses of promise early in his career at Ohio State before suffering a knee injury that prematurely ended his freshman season. Now, with a new staff in Columbus and the Buckeyes aiming to make a national statement in the coming year, all signs point to a rejuvenated Chatman making his long-anticipated return to the hardwood. A new video clip surfaced on social media this week showing the former top-40 recruit going through light workouts with visible explosiveness, stability, and confidence. For Ohio State fans, it was a welcome sight—and one that carries implications far beyond the viral footage.
Chatman’s journey has been anything but smooth. Coming into the program as part of the highly acclaimed 2023 recruiting class, the 6-foot-4 guard was expected to help bring a spark to the Buckeyes’ backcourt. He brought with him a polished offensive game, impressive ball-handling, and the ability to score at all three levels. There were high hopes he’d provide depth, versatility, and potentially grow into a featured role by his sophomore year. But before any of that could unfold, a season-ending injury cut his freshman campaign short. It was a brutal blow not only for the young guard, but also for a Buckeyes team struggling to find consistent guard play and identity under then-head coach Chris Holtmann.
Injuries often come at the worst times, and for Chatman, it came just as he was starting to acclimate to the speed and physicality of the college game. He had logged a few solid outings, displaying flashes of his potential with smooth jumpers and clever passes. But his knee injury forced a reset, turning what was supposed to be a developmental year into one of rehabilitation. For months, updates were scarce. The Buckeyes spiraled during the second half of the season, ultimately leading to a coaching change and a flurry of transfer portal movement. But through it all, Chatman remained committed—quietly working behind the scenes, staying engaged with the team, and now, as the summer arrives, showing tangible progress.
The video clip that circulated online isn’t particularly long—just a few seconds of Chatman moving through a series of controlled shooting drills and lateral agility steps. But the takeaway was unmistakable: his movements were crisp, his balance was solid, and he appeared to be moving without pain or hesitation. Even more notably, his demeanor exuded calm confidence, like a player who knows he has more to prove and is ready to get back to work.
For incoming head coach Jake Diebler, this version of Taison Chatman could be a key piece of Ohio State’s 2025 resurgence plan. With Bruce Thornton expected to shoulder much of the playmaking duties, a healthy Chatman offers an ideal complement—able to play on or off the ball, capable of spacing the floor, attacking closeouts, and defending opposing wings. His return would instantly bolster the Buckeyes’ depth and skill level, particularly in the guard rotation, which was a weak point last season due to inconsistency and injuries.
Recruiting experts have long praised Chatman’s IQ and decision-making. In high school, he led Totino-Grace to a state championship, showcasing a maturity well beyond his years. He wasn’t the flashiest player in the 2023 class, but he was often one of the most fundamentally sound. Ohio State fans had reason to believe he could blossom into a star within two to three years. His injury complicated that timeline, but it didn’t erase the potential. And judging by his current trajectory, he could very well be a breakout candidate in the Big Ten next season—particularly if his minutes ramp up and he regains full game rhythm.
What makes Chatman’s apparent recovery even more meaningful is the broader context of Ohio State basketball. The Buckeyes are entering a new era under Diebler, who has emphasized player development, culture-building, and a return to national relevance. With several new faces joining the program and transfers expected to play major roles, having a homegrown talent like Chatman available and ready to contribute gives the team an internal edge. He understands the expectations. He knows what it means to wear the scarlet and gray. And now, more than ever, he seems poised to make his presence felt.
Ohio State’s offseason workouts are ramping up, and while the staff has yet to publicly confirm Chatman’s official status for full-contact participation, the early signs are promising. Sources close to the program have indicated that he’s been ahead of schedule in his rehab, and barring any setbacks, he is expected to be cleared by the fall. That would give him a full preseason to regain rhythm, build chemistry with teammates, and carve out his niche in a backcourt that could be sneakily dangerous if things click.
Buckeye Nation has always had a soft spot for comeback stories. Whether it’s on the football field or the basketball court, there’s something inherently captivating about seeing a young athlete battle adversity and return stronger. Chatman’s journey—marked by patience, grit, and an unwavering belief in his own abilities—embodies that spirit. The road back from injury is never linear. There are setbacks, doubts, and days where progress feels microscopic. But from what we’ve seen, Chatman never lost faith. His quiet determination could become one of the feel-good narratives of Ohio State’s upcoming season.
Of course, much remains to be seen. A video clip is not a full-speed game against Michigan or Purdue. There will be hurdles ahead—mental and physical. Regaining live-game conditioning, trusting the repaired knee, reestablishing timing with teammates—these are challenges that every recovering athlete faces. But the first hurdle, movement with comfort and purpose, appears to be behind him. And that’s no small feat.
In a Big Ten landscape that continues to evolve with realignment, NIL dynamics, and shifting rosters, having continuity matters. And while many of Ohio State’s core pieces may be new next season, a healthy Taison Chatman offers a rare blend of familiarity and untapped upside. He’s still only scratching the surface of what he could become—a reliable secondary playmaker, a calming presence on the floor, and perhaps even a future leader for the program.
Fans will undoubtedly keep a close eye on Chatman throughout the summer and into the fall. Every open practice clip, every social media update, every appearance in team drills will be dissected and analyzed for clues about his progress. And if all goes well, that clip we saw this week could be remembered as the first glimpse of a promising return—one that breathes new life into a player and a program both eager to reintroduce themselves to the college basketball world.
So while it’s just one video, just one moment, it represents something far greater. It’s the return of hope. The resurgence of a player who’s put in the work. And perhaps, the quiet beginning of a comeback that’s been in motion long before the cameras ever started rolling.
