Offseason Transformations Headline Ohio State Men's Basketball Media Day

Coach Chris Holtmann and center Zed Key shed pounds during their time away from the Schottenstein Center, while center Felix Okpara gained some much-needed muscle.

Ohio State men's basketball coach Chris Holtmann underwent a weight loss journey during the offseason, which he documented publicly on his social media accounts. 

The Buckeyes seventh-year helmsman began lifting weights and dieting after his cholesterol and weight reached their highest point in his life, according to a post on Holtmann's Instagram account.

Holtmann was not the only member of the Buckeyes to move the needle of the scale during the few months off, however. Centers Felix Okpara and Zed Key also changed their weight, gaining and losing some extra pounds respectively.

Key dropped 18 pounds, and now tips the scales at 235 pounds. Despite such a dramatic loss in a short amount of time, Key says he still feels just as powerful as last year, if not more so.

"I was at 253 (pounds) last year, and losing this much weight, I feel better on the court," Key said. "It definitely has helped me for the better. I still feel strong. I didn't lose muscle, I just moved it around basically, moved the fat around and put it to muscle."

Okpara on the other hand, bulked up from 207 pounds in 2022 to now around 235 pounds. The sophomore said it's important to keep his body in good shape, both with his new weight and as he recovers from some minor injuries last season.

"I feel like, in this league, when the season starts, little injuries go a long way," Okpara said. "I just got to try and keep my body good and try and get it ready for the season."