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Ohio State's Taison Chatman scores first career points in homecoming at Minnesota
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- Ohio State's Taison Chatman scores first career points in homecoming at Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS – It was just another game, Taison Chatman said. The 27th game of a freshman season that's been a challenge for the top-ranked player from Minnesota in the 2023 class , one marred by injuries and inconsistent playing time.
The crowd of more than two dozen family members, friends and former coaches speaks to a slightly different reality. In his first return to his hometown, Chatman was on the court for a season-high 8:31 and scored his first career points during the first half of an 88-79 loss .
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It was just one field goal, but it had been a long time coming in a year that's tested Chatman in myriad ways.
"I ain't going to lie: it's been tough," Chatman told The Dispatch. "This is the first time in my life I've really been in this position. I've always been the man of the team. But I think it's a learning opportunity, a growing opportunity for me. That's how I look at it. I just think it's another challenge it's going to prepare me for where I want to get to."
Signed as the final member of the 2023 class, Chatman arrived as the No. 36 overall prospect in his class. He was a two-time state champion at nearby Totino-Grace, where he battled a knee injury as a senior that kept him from the state's Mr. Basketball honor and would affect his early Ohio State tenure.
As the Buckeyes got preseason workouts underway, Chatman would undergo a procedure to repair the meniscus in his left knee. It was his second in less than two years, and it robbed him of critical early-season development. Chatman did not make his season debut until a Nov. 24 game against No. 17 Alabama in the first round of the Emerald Coast Classic in Niceville, Florida . It was Ohio State's fifth game of the season, and his appearance lasted 27 seconds.
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After light playing time in three more non-conference blowout wins, Chatman was again sidelined for reasons out of his control. This time, a concussion suffered in mid-December cost him three more games, and when he returned to full availability in a Jan. 3 Big Ten game against Rutgers, Chatman was a healthy, unused substitute. From that game through a Feb. 13 loss at No. 20 Wisconsin, Chatman would appear in only four of Ohio State's 12 games, totaling 9:39 of playing time.
Then in the first game under interim coach Jake Diebler, Chatman played 2:57 during the first half of Ohio State's 73-69 win against No. 2 Purdue . In two games under Diebler, Chatman has already been on the court for 11:28.
"Some of it is our guys are playing hard, so they're getting tired," Diebler said. "Taison's ballhandling was something we thought could help us. I know he had a couple where he got a little loose with it but if guys keep playing as hard as they are then we're going to have to sub."
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Chatman was primarily a point guard in high school, and his ability to contribute as a ballhandler was a key reason Ohio State prioritized him during the summer and fall leading into his senior year. In a backcourt led by sophomores Bruce Thornton and Roddy Gayle Jr. , Chatman said he's worked on becoming more of a combo guard.
"When one of the guards are tired, I can slide them off the ball like I did today," he said. "I'm comfortable with both."
At home games, Chatman is typically the first player on the court, getting up early shots and putting in some extra work with assistant coach Mike Netti. On Feb. 1, Netti said Chatman missed out on 45 practices that would've helped him better adjust to the physicality of the game and get more reps against college players. Since then, Netti said, it's been an uphill for Chatman to fight his way into the rotation.
"Taison, for us his skill and IQ is what we've always loved," Netti said. "It's hard for freshmen to get a rhythm. They need those early games, early training camp to have some ups and downs. Unfortunately Taison's injury didn't allow that to happen."
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Throughout the year, Chatman said he's grown closer with sophomore guard Bowen Hardman, who has had a similar Ohio State experience. After playing in seven games as a freshman, Hardman has seen more playing time this year and has doubled his shots taken compared to a season ago.
The trip back home proved to be an extended one for Chatman. With a game at Michigan State on Sunday, the Buckeyes remained in Minneapolis on Friday and will go to East Lansing on Saturday without returning to Columbus. That means a little bit more time with family, and an opportunity to enjoy the memories made Thursday night.
"I just feel like it was another step in the right direction," he said. "Just trying to show the coaching staff and people that I can play. I belong at this level. Like you said, the season didn't play out how I wanted it to, but I really can't control that. I just have to be ready when my number's called. I think I did that today."
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State's Taison Chatman scores first points in Minnesota homecoming
