Buckeyes Liddell, Young have come a long way to stay

Both of the Ohio State players who were representing their school at the Big Ten's media gathering in Indianapolis last week had explored opportunities to move on following the 2020-21 season.

E.J. Liddell entered his name into the NBA draft process, while Kyle Young considered starting his professional career before deciding to take advantage of the extra year of eligibility given to all players.

Now spokesmen for the Buckeyes, Liddell creds Young for helping him get to this stage.

“When I came in my freshman year, Kyle showed me the ropes,” Liddell, who is entering his third season, said. “Being (at Big Ten media day) is really awesome. I feel like I carry myself as one of the people who should represent a team.”

Each has represented Ohio State on the cover of a regional preseason college basketball magazine: Liddell on Lindy's and Young on Athlon's. Both said it's the first time they were featured on a magazine cover.

“It's a surreal feeling when you see yourself on there because it's something you've dreamt of, being recognized and getting to the position where we are today,” Young said.

Once Young made up his mind to return to Ohio State, he said he remained in contact with Liddell and gently encouraged him to do the same.

“After I decided I was coming back, I wanted him to come back for sure, so it can hopefully be a special year for the both of us,” Young said. “I'm hoping to be remembered as somebody people think about when they talk about Buckeye basketball.”

Liddell teams up with Michigan’s Dickinson Liddell was invited to the NBA'S G-league combine during the summer, and there, he was placed on a team that also included Hunter Dickinson and Chaundee Brown.

Just like that: Buckeyes and Wolverines, playing together.

“I never expected to be on the same team as two Michigan players at one time,” Liddell said.

The teams met twice last season, with Michigan winning at Ohio State and the Buckeyes knocking the Wolverines out of the Big Ten tournament. Throughout, Liddell and Dickinson battled in the paint before both being named first-team all-conference.

Now, the two have a mutual appreciation for each other. When they got to the combine, it was a different story.

“I wasn't a big fan of Hunter when we first played him,” Liddell said. “He was setting hard screens on our guards and whatnot. We went to the combine and hung out, had a couple meals together since we were on the same team. He's a cool dude.” ajardy@dispatch.com

@Adamjardy

ADAM CAIRNS/COLUMBUS DISPATCH Ohio State’s E.J. Liddell (32) and Kyle Young (25) have often teamed up on the court, as they do here against Purdue’s Jaden Ivey. Last week they teamed up to represent OSU at Big Ten media days.