For nearly two decades, Ohio State was barely a blip on Evan Ravenel’s radar. The Tampa, Florida, native spent his first two college seasons at Boston College before finding his way to the Buckeyes via associate head coach Dave Dickerson, who had previously recruited him to play for Tulsa.
Three years later, what proved to be a championship season on the other side of the world made a profound impact on Ravenel. Playing in the Basketball Japan League, Ravenel led the Ryukyu Golden Kings to the championship while also capturing playoff MVP honors.
It was Ravenel’s third country in as many years and the latest reminder of what his time at Ohio State has meant to people.