College basketball's new era on display as Ohio State's Bruce Thornton, Zed Key meet fans
The future of college basketball was wedged neatly in between the bratwurst and freshly picked strawberries.
There on a Sunday afternoon sat two now-former teammates, each in the immediate aftermath of individual decisions to go in opposite directions. After making what he repeatedly stressed was a business decision, Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton was decked out in all black for a free, public autograph signing put together by NIL collective The 1870 Foundation. He’ll be back for a third year. And directly to his left, at an identical black, circular table, was Zed Key.
Hours earlier, Key had completed an official visit to Dayton. One day later, he would announce his commitment to the Flyers for his fifth and final season of college basketball. And midway through an hour, a member of the peanut gallery stood near the chips and salsa and, politely, grilled the current and now-former Buckeyes about the state of it all.
After explaining that she didn’t really follow sports, this fan asked if both players would be back next season. Thornton affirmed his spot on the roster while Key, who had been in the transfer portal for a little more than a week, shook his head. With a knowing nod, she asked for his plans now that his college career was over, only to be visibly surprised that Key would be playing his final year elsewhere.
“Why would you leave?” she asked. When Key responded that it was time to move on, sparing her the intimate details of his specific situation, she came to a resolution that drew laughter from both members of the 2023-24 Buckeyes.
“Well, I’ll support you wherever you go,” the fan said, pausing before delivering the kicker. “Just don’t go to Michigan.”
Laughter ensued and vows were made, ones that were upheld when Key announced his commitment to Dayton the next day. When the 2024-25 season begins, Key will be a Flyer and Thornton will be a Buckeye. Two seasons ago, they were among Ohio State’s captains. Sunday, they were both part of an event agreed upon before plans for next year had been made.
And yet, their camaraderie was on full display throughout the hourlong meet-and-greet.
“It’s great for the community, especially Buckeye Nation, with all the support they’ve given me for the last two and a half years,” Thornton said. “It’s hard to believe I’m going to be starting my junior year. I’m very thankful and grateful for them to come out, to show love and support for me and Zed Key and for our team. I’m very thankful.”
Both players were gracious with the few dozen fans who stopped for autographs. Spying a young fan riding in what looked to be his mother’s shopping cart full of spring plants, Thornton sought the boy out, waved at him and brought him a mini basketball to dribble before signing it. Likewise, Key struck up conversations with anyone who approached, from employees to fans wearing his No. 23 jersey to a child who posed for a photo while both took part in Key’s “finger guns” celebration of a three-point play.
“It’s been great,” Key said. “People still supporting, want to see me succeed and I’m grateful for that. I’m not going to Michigan. We don’t got to worry about that. Just grateful.”
One of their former teammates, though, could be a Wolverine. Roddy Gayle, who arrived at Ohio State alongside Thornton and shared the backcourt with him for the past two seasons, entered the transfer portal and has Michigan as one of the schools he’s considering for his next stop.
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“That will always be my guy,” Thornton said of Gayle. “It doesn’t matter where he goes. That’s my lifelong friend that I’m always going to have, but he had to make a decision that’s best for him and his family and the goals he wants to go to. I understand that full-heartedly. I’ll always show love. I’ll always make sure he’s all right, make sure his family is all right at all times because that’s still my bro at the end of the day.”
Even if he is playing for Ohio State’s primary rival next season?
“I mean, that’s going to be hard,” Thornton said with a smile. “Just for that 40 minutes we probably can’t be cool, but after that everything can be all right.”
Once the hour was complete, Thornton and Key put their Sharpies away, shook hands with the employees who put on the event and walked through the produce section and out together. Just not to the same destination.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State's Zed Key, Bruce Thornton showcase new era with fans
