COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler has announced the signing of Amare Bynum and Dorian Jones for the 2025 signing class.

Bynum is a 6-8 forward that is one of the top rising players in the class. He’s a Top 100 ranked player who is playing his senior year at one of the top prep programs in Link Academy in Branson, Mo. The Omaha, Neb., native is a versatile forward who can defend either post position and has an emerging offensive game.

“I’m excited to welcome Amare to our Buckeye family,” Diebler said. “He’s got great energy and great enthusiasm for the game and he’s someone that you just love to be around. Amare embodies what our program is about on and off the court.  His versatility is what makes him special. He can handle the ball, he is comfortable both on the perimeter and inside, while being able to guard multiple positions. Buckeye Nation is going to enjoy watching him in Scarlet and Gray.”

Jones has been on Ohio State’s radar for a while and was one of the most highly sought after Ohioans in the 2025 class. The 6-4 combo guard is the top-ranked player in the state, and he is looking to lead Richmond Heights to a fourth-consecutive state title this year.

“I’ve built a great relationship with Dorian and am glad that he’s now officially a Buckeye,” Diebler said. “There is a rich tradition of players from Northeast Ohio in our program and Dorian continues that. He has enormous potential as both a scorer and as a defender. He also comes from a great high school program in Richmond Heights that has won three consecutive state titles. Dorian knows how to win and I’m excited for him to join our family.”

Amare Bynum
Forward
6-8, 220
Omaha, Nebraska
Link Academy

• Four-star prospect and a Top 100 ranked player who is playing his senior season at Link Academy in Branson, Mo.
• Described as an energetic, versatile post who can defend either post position
• Has expanded his game and is a capable scorer from the perimeter
• During the 2024 EYBL summer season, he averaged 11.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks while shooting over 34 percent from long range
• Played his first three seasons at Bryan High School before transferring to Link
• As a junior in 2023-24, averaged 21.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.3 blocks per game
• His father Omar played four seasons at Iowa State from 2000-03

Dorian Jones
Guard
6-4, 180
Richmond Heights, Ohio
Richmond Heights

• The No. 1 prospect in Ohio and the No. 69 ranked player overall in the class according to the 247Sports composite rankings
• A really good shooter who can also guard multiple positions because of his 6-foot-10 wingspan
• Played for All-Ohio Red on the Nike EYBL circuit
• Has led Richmond Heights to three consecutive state championships
• Set the state title game record with seven three-pointers as part of his 25 points in 2023 championship game
• Earned first team All-Ohio honors as a junior, averaging more than 14 points per game
• As a sophomore, he was named the Division IV Player of the Year after averaging 20.1 points per game
• Grandmother Charlotte Powell played professionally and is the all-time leading scorer at Salem University in West Virginia

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