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Michigan Star Roddy Gayle Jr. Mercilessly Booed in Return to Ohio State

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Meyer | Last updated Feb 16, 2025 2:55 PM ET

Dusty May's Big Ten leading Michigan Wolverines hit the road on Sunday to take on Jake Diebler's Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus, Ohio.

The game was noteworthy not just for the rivalry but also for the return of Michigan star guard Roddy Gayle, Jr., who transferred from Columbus to Ann Arbor this past offseason.

Gayle Jr. said recently that he received death threats and other negative comments because of his decision to leave the Buckeyes basketball program, adding to the layers of intrigue surrounding his return.

Gayle, Jr. was booed by Buckeyes students from warmups until the time he first touched the ball and beyond as the Wolverines and Buckeyes faced off on the hardwood.

Footage of Buckeye fans' rain of boos was posted to X as the first half progressed in central Ohio.

Former Buckeye Roddy Gayle Jr. is drawing boos from #OhioState students in attendance more than an hour before tip-off. pic.twitter.com/i5HGe2dfzT
— Lantern Sports (@LanternSports) February 16, 2025

Gayle took the ball with a little over 14 minutes in the first half and unleashed a picture-perfect spin move on the Buckeyes that resulted in a basket against his former team.

The move came amid another chorus of boos that didn't seem to affect the Niagara Falls, New York native.

Former Ohio State G Roddy Gayle Jr. is back in Columbus for the first time today.

Here's his first @umichbball basket on the other side of the rivalry #B1GMBBall on CBS pic.twitter.com/wwqPLIk3oK
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 16, 2025