🏀 Familiar faces

• Bruce Thornton | Sophomore | Thornton emerged as a leader during his freshman season. He was named a team captain, averaged 10.6 points per game, had a team-high 29 total steals, and was the only player to start all 35 games.
• Roddy Gayle Jr. | Sophomore | In his first year with OSU, Gayle Jr. showed his defensive skills with 21 total steals, 12 total blocks, and an impressive Big Ten Tournament run complete with nine three-pointers.
• Zed Key | Senior | Prior to Key’s shoulder injury and season-ending surgery, he averaged 13.4 points and 8.4 rebounds. He is the oldest returner.
• Felix Okpara | Sophomore | The 6'11" center played in every game last season and finished as one of the best rim defenders in the Big Ten with 44 total blocks.
• Head coach Chris Holtmann returns for his seventh season.

🏀 Get to know some newcomers

• Jamison Battle | Fifth year | Battle played his past two seasons at Minnesota and was recently named to the Julius Erving Top 20 Watch List.
• Dale Bonner | Fifth year | The Shaker Heights-native played his last two seasons at Baylor, where he had multiple six-plus steal games and appeared in four NCAA Tournament games.
• Evan Mahaffey | Sophomore | Originally from Cincinnati, Mahaffey played his freshman season at Penn State, where he appeared in 34 games and shot nearly 57% from the field.
• Devin Royal | Freshman | Royal was named Ohio’s Mr. Basketball in 2023 and averaged 19.6 points as a Pickerington Central senior.
• Scotty Middleton | Freshman | The five-star prospect joins the Buckeyes from Miami, FL, where he averaged 12 points in his senior season.

• Hunter Hayes | Tuesday, Oct. 31 | 8 p.m. | The Bluestone, 583 E. Broad St., Downtown | $27.50 | See the Grammy-nominated country musician for “The Red Sky Tour.”

• Día De Los Muertos | Wednesday, Nov. 1 | 4-9 p.m. | El Segundo Mexican Kitchen, 698 N. High St., Short North | Free | Kids can get their faces painted + adults can enjoy discounted margaritas, tequila flights, and tacos.

• Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning | Thursday, Nov. 2 | 7 p.m. | Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd., Arena District | $20-$306 | Cheer on the CBJ as they face a fellow Eastern Conference team.
• DateColumbus | Thursday, Nov. 2 | 6-8:30 p.m. | The Kee, 225 Neilston St., Downtown | $15 | Mix and mingle with 300+ singles through games, icebreakers, and giveaways.

• 2023 North Market Taste of the Market Gala | Friday, Nov. 3 | 7-10 p.m. | North Market Bridge Park, 6750 Longshore St., Dublin | $125–$250 | Enjoy a three-course dinner with wine and beer + live entertainment at this 21+ event.

• Spaghetti Warehouse will open on Thursday, Nov. 30 in its new downtown space at 150 S. High St. Today is the last day to submit your favorite memories in the “Savor the Memories” contest for a chance to win “Lasagna for Life.” The restaurant is also hiring — apply now.

• New Kids On The Block — a Grammy-nominated pop band with hits like “You’ve Got It” — is coming to Nationwide Arena on August 23, 2024. Tickets go on sale Friday, Nov. 3 at 10 a.m.

• “We Them One’s Comedy Tour” — hosted by Mike Epps who has appeared in movies like “The Hangover” — is coming to the Schottenstein Center on February 9, 2024. Tickets go on sale Friday, Nov. 3 at 10 a.m.

• The Columbus Crew will face Atlanta in the first-round of the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs on Wednesday, Nov. 1. This is the first-ever MLS playoff match at Lower.com Field. Grab tickets.

• The Columbus Museum of Art celebrated its 145th birthday yesterday. Plan your visit to see the current art displays, including “Accra! The Rise of a Global Art Community” and “Quilting a Future: Contemporary Quilts and American Tradition.”

• Halloween. Celebrate with ongoing spooky spectacles like Pumpkins Aglow and Jack O’Lantern World, or browse your city’s trick-or-treating times here.

• Looking for an unbelievably close shave? Try Meridian Trimmers, engineered to empower individuals of all genders to achieve flawless grooming. Get 15% off a one-time purchase with code “6AM.”*

Just puttin’ around

Take it indoors