Bell leaving to focus on fatherhood

David Bell has lived most of his life without the protective shadow of a parent. The native of northeastern Ohio never had a father in his life, and when his mother died when he was a child, Bell was raised by his grandmother.

So when Bell learned that he was to become a father, the chance to help raise the baby was something he could not turn down.

That’s why on Friday, Bell, a redshirt sophomore, announced that he would transfer from Ohio State’s men’s basketball program to be with his girlfriend as she moves back to Florida.

“It’s tough, but I’ve preached to him every time he sees me that I’m a father of four kids and I’m married,” said Sonny Johnson, who coached Bell at Garfield Heights High School and mentored him.

“The first thing I told him was he’s got to be there for that baby. I think that’s more important than anything. You can’t say anything negative about that.”

Bell, a 6-9 center, is the fifth player to transfer from Ohio State in the past two seasons. Four freshmen left last year’s team — Austin Grandstaff quit after 10 games, while Daniel Giddens, A.J. Harris and Mickey Mitchell followed suit after the season. Since then, Grandstaff and Mitchell have transferred again. Bell’s situation is different. “He’s been through a lot (in life), and he’s trying to grow up and be a better man,” Johnson said.

Through Johnson, Bell declined to comment. On his private Instagram account, Bell posted a photo April 2 of his girlfriend at 25 weeks into pregnancy.

Ohio State has three scholarships available for the 2017-18 season. Two players are signed from the class of 2017, but the Buckeyes are working to add more. The signing window opens Wednesday.