By Micah Jonah
January 18, 2026
Guard Puff Johnson will join Ohio State immediately for his sixth college basketball season after winning a temporary restraining order from Franklin County Court of Common Pleas in Ohio on Friday.
Johnson previously played for North Carolina from 2020-21 through 2022-23 and for Penn State in 2023-24 and 2024-25, appearing in at least 14 games each season. His legal case argued that a misdiagnosed wrist injury last season caused him to play more games than he should have.
Judge Sheryl K. Munson ruled in Johnson’s favour, stating that he would suffer “irreparable injury” without the order, including the loss of his final collegiate season, development opportunities, exposure, and associated NIL value.
Ohio State coach Jake Diebler said, “We are excited for Puff to join our program. This has been a long process for him and his family. We are happy for them, looking forward to him getting on the court.”
Last season with the Nittany Lions, Johnson averaged 10.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 0.6 assists, and 1.4 steals in 17 games. Across 111 career games, including 31 starts, he has averaged 5.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 0.3 assists, and 0.6 steals.
The Buckeyes, currently 11-5 overall and 3-3 in Big Ten play, have lost two of their last three games ahead of Saturday’s home contest against UCLA.
