C Ivan Njegovan (Official Thread)

[ScriptOhio]

The quiet development of Colin White and Ivan Njegovan has strengthened Ohio State’s depth

While Ohio State’s stars drive the headlines, the steady development of Colin White and Ivan Njegovan has quietly strengthened the Buckeyes’ depth and lineup flexibility late in the season.

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Ivan Njegovan: size, rim protection, and developmental upside​

While White provides depth on the wing, Ivan Njegovan represents a very different kind of developmental piece.
The 7-foot-1 center from Otočac, Croatia, is the tallest player on Ohio State’s roster and brings a traditional interior presence that few teams possess. Njegovan’s path to college basketball has been relatively unique. He began playing the sport later than many prospects but quickly developed due to his size and physical tools.

As a freshman, Njegovan appeared in 21 games, averaging 1.6 points and 1.5 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the field, while also recording eight blocked shots in limited minutes. Those numbers reflected the early stage of his development rather than his long-term potential.

This season, Njegovan has continued to grow into his role as a situational backup center behind Ohio State’s primary frontcourt rotation. His minutes have fluctuated depending on matchups and roster health, but he has shown flashes of the skills that make him intriguing.

One of the clearest examples came early in the season when Njegovan scored 15 points in a dominant win over Mount St. Mary’s, showing his ability to finish efficiently when given opportunities.

Njegovan’s biggest impact, however, comes defensively. His size allows him to contest shots at the rim and provide a shot-blocking presence that changes how opponents attack the paint. Even in short stints, a player with that kind of length can alter possessions simply by being on the floor.

Offensively, his game remains a work in progress, but he has shown the ability to finish around the basket and occasionally step out for perimeter shots. For a player still relatively new to high-level basketball, those flashes suggest there is still significant room for growth.

 

[DZ83CK]

Agree that Ivan's biggest impact is defensively. He provides a presence out there that affects the opponent in the paint and on the glass. While his offensive production thus far has been unremarkable, he has given the team a lift on the defensive side. He's one of those guys that is good enough to provide depth in a pinch, but probably not good enough for NIL.

 

[calibuck]

Not disagreeing, as when compared to Tilly, appears to be a world of difference. Like how Tilly works with his back to the basket, as well as facing up. That is area of C development (anywhere and anybody). He's gotta get more physical, have watched him get blocked out, and simply stand there and accept it, rather than spinning around, and now blocking out his man. Plus, leads to 'puppy guarding' (daughter's term), around the rim, and not going out to challenge his opponent. Cannot wait to see how he develops, and assuming we get the Baylor transfer back next year, how that translates into blocks and rebounds. Go Bucks!