ZED KEY NEWS

Future availability TBD Key (shoulder) will make a family decision on his remaining availability this season, according to Andy Backstrom of Rivals.com.

Impact According to Ohio State's head coach Chris Holtmann, Key's remaining availability for the 2022-23 NCAA season will depend on a "decision between him and his family." Key had been playing hurt and only re-aggravated his injured shoulder as the Buckeyes struggled. They have three games left remaining before tournament play. While there is a chance Key could help the Buckeyes salvage what is left of their season, it is an unfavorable risk to play the center when his injury keeps flaring up.

FEBRUARY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

REPORT: Ohio State's Zed Key Out Against No. 3 Purdue Basketball Ohio State will be without junior forward Zed Key when it tips off against No. 3 Purdue basketball on Sunday at Mackey Arena. Key is averagi...

FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

REPORT: Ohio State's Zed Key Out Against No. 3 Purdue Basketball Ohio State will be without junior forward Zed Key when it tips off against No. 3 Purdue basketball on Sunday at Mackey Arena. Key is averagi...

FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Out at Purdue Key will sit out Ohio State's game Sunday at Purdue, according to Griffin Strom of Eleven Warriors.

Impact According to Patrick Murphy of 247Sports.com, Key re-injured his shoulder. It was sprained during Ohio State's previous matchup against Purdue. Key suffered the injury Jan. 5 yet continued playing without sitting out multiple games. Now, he may be unavailable more than one matchup.

FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Zed Key plays through shoulder pain for Ohio State that 'lets you know that it's there' The sprained left shoulder suffered against Purdue is still causing Zed Key issues, but the Ohio State center keeps fighting through the pai...

FEBRUARY 16, 2023 • DISPATCH.COM

Ohio State Coach Chris Holtman Updates Zed Key Injury, Talks Michigan State Loss The weekly “Chris Holtmann Show” commenced Monday on 97.1 The Fan where the Ohio State Buckeyes head coach discussed topics ranging from Zed...

FEBRUARY 13, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Grabs 10 boards in loss Key posted eight points (3-5 FG, 2-3 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and one block across 28 minutes during Thursday's 69-63 loss to Northwestern.

Impact Key has scored under 10 points in three of his last five games but still logs 7.8 rebounds per game over his last nine outings. Given the inconsistent season for the Buckeyes, Key needs to offer a little more from the floor in addition to his prolific offensive rebounding, averaging 3.1 per game in 23 contests.

FEBRUARY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Disappointing at Illinois Key finished with eight points (2-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-5 FT), three rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal during Tuesday's loss to Illinois.

Impact Key was nowhere close to logging a double-double, which he almost recorded across his previous game. On top of that, the center fouled out during the game's second half, and the Buckeyes played relatively better despite being without their center and losing by nine points.

JANUARY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Available at Illinois Key (knee) will be available during Ohio State's game Tuesday at Illinois, according to Bill Landis of The Athletic.

Impact Key will not log any absences due to the knee injury he suffered when Ohio State hosted Iowa on Saturday. The center recorded 11 points and nine rebounds. Unfortunately for Key, he was one board short of a double-double.

JANUARY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Tuesday Key (knee) is questionable to suit up in Tuesday's showdown with Illinois, Patrick Murphy of 247Sports reports.

Impact Key, who sustained the injury during Saturday's win over Iowa, has been "responding well" to treatment according to head coach Chris Holtmann, but he will remain questionable for Tuesday's matchup with Illinois. The 6-foot-8 junior has started in 16 games this season, logging 12.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks on 25.5 minutes per game. If Key is ultimately unable to suit up, Felix Okpara would likely play an expanded role in his absence.

JANUARY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with injury Key sustained an apparent lower-body injury late in Saturday's 93-77 win over Iowa, though Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann said postage that this "does not look like a long-term in...

Impact Key came up hobbling following a dunk in the final minute of this contest, per Backstrom, though Holtmann did not provide any further specifics of the issue immediately following the win. The 6-foot-8 forward has now averaged 10.5 points and 8.5 rebounds over the Buckeyes' last four games, so it will be worth monitoring his status heading into the team's next game versus Illinois on Tuesday.

JANUARY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Double-double at Nebraska Key produced 11 points (4-10 FG, 3-5 FT), 10 rebounds, three blocks and one steal in 29 minutes during Wednesday's 63-60 loss to Nebraska.

Impact Key's latest log is also an indication of his averages across three away games the Buckeyes have played from Dec. 29 to Jan. 18. The junior center averaged 11.0 points and 10.0 rebounds during that three-game span.

JANUARY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starting against Nebraska Key will return to the starting lineup against Nebraska, per Adam Jardy of The Columbus Dispatch.

Impact Key hasn't started the last two games for the Buckeyes, but still played 30 and 27 minutes in those games. The center is a focal point of Ohio State's interior attack, as well as a talented rebounder.

JANUARY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Approaches double-double in return Key totaled 10 points (5-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 0-1 FT), eight rebounds and one steal in 30 minutes during Thursday's 70-67 loss to Minnesota.

Impact Key missed Sunday's loss to Maryland due to a shoulder injury and wasn't in the starting lineup Thursday, but he still saw his fair share of playing time and was efficient from the floor. It wouldn't be surprising to see the junior reclaim his starting role going forward, and he didn't appear to have any major restrictions with his playing time during Thursday's loss.

JANUARY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not in starting five Key (shoulder) is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against Minnesota, Adam Jardy of The Columbus Dispatch reports.

Impact Key looked pretty good in pregame warmups, so he could see some action off the bench in this one. He did not suit up last Sunday against Maryland. Eugene Brown is getting the start on Thursday in the frontcourt. Key will likely play limited minutes if active with a chance to ramp up his activity on Sunday against Rutgers.

JANUARY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Going through warmups Thursday Key (shoulder) is participating in early pregame warmups ahead of Thursday's contest against Minnesota, Griffin Storm of Eleven Warriors reports.

Impact Key sustained a left shoulder sprain during the loss to Purdue on Jan. 5, leaving him sidelined for the following game three days later against Maryland. The 6-foot-8 junior is considered a game-time decision heading into this game versus the Gophers, so it's an encouraging sign to see that he went through some light warmups with a compression brace on his shoulder about 30 minutes prior to tipoff. Key has averaged career highs in points (12.4) and rebounds (7.8) while starting the first 14 games of the season for Ohio State.

JANUARY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Game-time decision Thursday Key (shoulder) is a game-time decision before the Buckeyes' game Thursday versus Minnesota, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.

Impact Key may not log a multi-game absence because of his injured shoulder. If out Thursday, the junior's next opportunity to return is at Rutgers on Sunday.

JANUARY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nearing a return Key (shoulder) is expected to be available soon, Andy Backstrom of Rivals.com reports.

Impact Key is expected back "relatively soon", according to Ohio State head coach, Chris Holtmann. The 6-foot-8 junior missed Sunday's matchup with Maryland, but he will likely be a game-time decision for Thursday's showdown with Minnesota. If Key is ultimately unable to suit up, Felix Okpara will likely get the start in his place.

JANUARY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Felix Okpara steps in for Zed Key, but Ohio State's inexperience shows in Maryland loss Felix Okpara's first career start was tough as Ohio State took a Big Ten road loss to Maryland with Zed Key out due to an injury.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • DISPATCH.COM

Ohio State's Zed Key Unavailable For Sunday's Game At Maryland Key suffered a sprained shoulder while attempting to pull down a defensive rebound in Thursday’s loss to Purdue.

JANUARY 8, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Out at Maryland Key (shoulder) is out Sunday at Maryland.

Impact Key's upcoming absence will be his first of the 2022-23 NCAA season. Currently, Ohio State and Minnesota are scheduled to play each other Thursday.

JANUARY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Zed Key Sprains His Shoulder vs. Top-Ranked Purdue Ohio State’s starting center got hurt in the opening minutes against the Boilermakers and was ruled out for the rest of the game.

JANUARY 6, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Diagnosed with shoulder sprain Key will not return to Thursday's game versus Purdue after suffering a left shoulder sprain, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reports.

Impact Key suffered the injury early in the game while wrestling for a rebound with Zach Edey. A clearer picture on his timeline will likely be revealed in the coming days. He poses as a major loss for the Buckeyes, averaging 13.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per contest, including five double-doubles. The 6-8 junior's absence leaves the Buckeyes without much size, as Felix Okpara will be called upon to step up for the time being.

JANUARY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Appears to injure shoulder Key was holding his left shoulder and appeared to be in a lot of pain as he made his way to the locker room Thursday versus Purdue, Adam Jardy of The Columbus Dispatch reports.

Impact Key was unable to move his shoulder at all when he was shown walking to the locker room during the first media timeout of the game. The 6-8 junior initially suffered a shoulder injury in the beginning of December. He has been battling through the issue and has not missed a game to date but that could be in question if he's unable to return to Thursday's action.

JANUARY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Logs double-double in win Key closed Sunday's 73-57 victory over Northwestern with 11 points (4-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 11 rebounds, two blocks and two steals across 28 minutes.

Impact Key secured his first double-double in five games and it hasn't always come easily without taking many field goals on a regular basis. It will be interesting to see how Key performs in conference play going forward, as he's stepped up to the task in previous high-profile matchups already.

JANUARY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE