Former Ohio State Guard Bowen Hardman Commits to Akron

On Saturday, Hardman announced he will transfer to Akron for the 2024-25 season. The former Ohio State guard was the first Buckeye to enter the transfer portal when it opened in March.

A Cincinnati native and Princeton High School graduate, Hardman was a three-star recruit in Ohio State’s top-10 ranked 2022 class. He never carved out much of a role in his two years with the Buckeyes, appearing in 25 total games across both seasons. In 2023-24, Hardman averaged a career-best 4.2 minutes, 1.8 points and 0.4 rebounds per game in 18 appearances.

Hardman is the fourth former Ohio State player to land with a new school this week. Roddy Gayle Jr. committed to Michigan on Monday, Scotty Middleton committed to Seton Hall on Wednesday and Felix Okpara committed to Tennessee on Thursday. The Buckeyes’ fifth offseason transfer, Zed Key, committed to Dayton on April 15.

With two years of eligibility remaining, Hardman joins an Akron squad that went 24-11 overall, won the MAC Tournament and lost to No. 3-seeded Creighton in the NCAA Tournament. Like the Buckeyes, the Zips have rebuilt their roster through the portal this offseason, with Hardman one of five transfers to join the program in March and April.