Andrew Pace
Les Horvath wore the number 22 jersey for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He was born in 1921 to Hungarian immigrants in South Bend, Indiana, and grew up in Parma, Ohio. In 1944, Horvath became the school's first Heisman Trophy winner, leading the Big Ten in rushing (669 yards) and total offense (953 yards). He accounted for 1,248 all-purpose yards that year, as the Buckeyes posted a perfect 9-0 record and won the Big Ten championship. In addition to his football career, Horvath also played on the track and basketball teams at Parma Senior High School until the 11th grade. More recently, former Ohio State basketball players Joey Brunk and Amedeo Della Valle wore the number 22 jersey while playing professionally in international leagues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Les Horvath |
| Born | 1921, South Bend, Indiana |
| School | Parma Senior High School |
| Sports | Track, basketball, football |
| Awards | 1944 Heisman Trophy Winner, 1944 Big Ten MVP, 1944 Ohio State MVP, 1944 All-American, 1944 All-Big Ten, 1969 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee, 1977 Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee |
| Ohio State Buckeyes Men's Basketball Team | 2021–22 Season |
| Head Coach | Chris Holtmann |
| Seniors | CJ Walker, Kyle Young |
| Former Players | Della Valle, Brunk |
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What You'll Learn
- Les Horvath, the first Heisman Trophy winner for Ohio State
- CJ Walker, a senior player who received an extra year of eligibility
- Kyle Young, another senior with an extra year
- Della Valle, a fan favourite who averaged 16 points per game
- Brunk, a low-post specialist who played college basketball for six years
Les Horvath, the first Heisman Trophy winner for Ohio State
Leslie "Les" Horvath, born on October 12, 1921, was the first Heisman Trophy winner for Ohio State. He was born to Hungarian immigrants in South Bend, Indiana, and grew up in Parma, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. Despite his small stature, Horvath was a standout high school athlete, playing on the track, basketball, and football teams for Parma until the 11th grade. In 1939, he entered Ohio State University on a work scholarship and tried out for the football team the following year, making it despite weighing just 160 pounds.
In 1941, Horvath was a reserve halfback in the Buckeyes' single-wing offense, and the team posted a 6-1-1 win-loss-tie record, finishing second in the Big Ten Conference standings. The following year, he was a regular starter at halfback, and the team won Ohio State's first-ever national championship. In 1943, Horvath was in dental school and not eligible for football, but he returned to the team in 1944, leading the Buckeyes to an undefeated 9-0 season. That year, Horvath made history by becoming Ohio State's first Heisman Trophy winner, in addition to being named an All-American, the Big Ten MVP, and the Ohio State MVP.
Horvath graduated from dental school in 1945 and served as a dental officer in the U.S. Navy for two years before being discharged in July 1947. He then played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Rams in 1947 and 1948 before signing with the Cleveland Browns in 1949, with whom he won the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) championship. Horvath retired from playing football in 1950 and moved to Los Angeles to practice dentistry, where he lived for the rest of his life. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1966 and the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1977. His jersey number, 22, was retired by Ohio State in October 2000.
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CJ Walker, a senior player who received an extra year of eligibility
CJ Walker, a senior guard for the Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team, was eligible for an extra year of eligibility following the 2020-21 season. This was due to the NCAA's decision to grant all student-athletes in winter sports during the 2020-21 school year an additional year of athletic eligibility because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Walker, who wore the number 13 during his time at Ohio State, joined the Buckeyes in 2018 after two seasons at Florida State. He averaged 7.7 points, 2.8 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game during his career, which included a redshirt season in 2018-19. In 58 games over two seasons, he averaged 9.1 points, 3.9 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per contest. Walker was a key player for the Buckeyes, providing a calm, veteran presence and serving as the quarterback of their fourth-rated offense. He excelled in free-throw shooting, ranking third in the nation in his final season.
Despite having the option to return for another year, Walker decided to pursue a professional basketball career and entered the NBA Draft. In a statement, Walker expressed his gratitude for his time at Ohio State and his excitement for the future. His decision to move on from collegiate basketball was influenced by various factors, including his advanced age for a college athlete (24 years old) and personal commitments, such as his young daughter.
With Walker's departure, the Buckeyes' point guard duties shifted to Jamari Wheeler, a transfer from Penn State. Wheeler, a two-time All-Big Ten defensive team honoree, was expected to bring steady ball-handling skills and defensive prowess to the team. Walker's absence also created opportunities for other players to step up and fill the void left by his decision to forgo his extra year of eligibility.
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Kyle Young, another senior with an extra year
On October 14, 2020, the NCAA announced that all student-athletes in winter sports during the 2020–21 school year, including men's and women's basketball, would receive an extra year of athletic eligibility. Senior Kyle Young was eligible to use the extra year, allowing him to play for the 2021–22 Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team. The team was coached by Chris Holtmann, who was in his fifth season with the Buckeyes. The Buckeyes played their home games at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio as members of the Big Ten Conference.
Kyle Young, a senior forward for the Ohio State men's basketball team, has been a key contributor to the team's success over the past few years. Young, a native of Canton, Ohio, has been a starter for the Buckeyes since his sophomore year and has been known for his tenacious defence and strong rebounding abilities. Standing at 6'8" (2.03 m), Young has been a force in the paint, using his size and length to disrupt opposing offences and protect the rim.
During his junior season, Young averaged 7.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, while also providing strong defence for the Buckeyes. He helped lead the team to a 21-10 record and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. In the 2021–22 season, Young looked to build on his strong performance from the previous year and establish himself as one of the top power forwards in the Big Ten Conference. With his extra year of eligibility, Young had the opportunity to refine his skills, improve his draft stock, and pursue a championship with the Buckeyes.
Young's impact on the court has been significant, but his leadership and presence in the locker room have also been invaluable. He has been described by his teammates as a hard worker and a great mentor to the younger players on the team. His dedication to the game and his team-first mentality have earned him the respect of his coaches and peers. Young's work ethic has also carried over to the classroom, where he has consistently maintained a high level of academic performance.
As a senior with an extra year of eligibility, Young has embraced the opportunity to continue his development as a player and a leader. He has spoken about using his extra year to improve his offensive skills, particularly his shooting and ball-handling abilities. Young has also mentioned that he wants to help the younger players on the team grow and succeed, passing on the knowledge and experience he has gained during his time at Ohio State.
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Della Valle, a fan favourite who averaged 16 points per game
Amedeo Della Valle, a fan favourite at Ohio State University, averaged 16 points per game during his time with the Buckeyes. Della Valle, a guard, was a crowd favourite due to his atypical look and personality. In 2014, he even ran for student body president, promising "official Amedeo snow days", although he only managed to finish in fifth place.
Della Valle's journey to Ohio State began in his hometown of Alba, Italy, where he played for the junior team of Serie A and EuroCup side Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia. In 2011, he moved to the United States to attend Findlay Prep high school in Henderson, Nevada. There, he helped his team to victory in the 2012 National High School Invitational, breaking the school record for three-pointers in a season with 66.
His impressive performances caught the eye of several colleges, and after graduating, he signed a letter of intent to play for Ohio State in the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA Division I. Della Valle chose the Buckeyes over scholarship offers from Arizona and Texas A&M. During his time at Ohio State, he continued to excel on the court, averaging 16 points per game.
After the Buckeyes' early exit from the NCAA Division I tournament, Della Valle announced his intention to return to Italy to play professional basketball. He signed with his former club, Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia, citing the team's policy of trusting young Italian players as a key factor in his decision. Della Valle's decision to return to Italy paid off, as he went on to have a successful professional career. In the 2022-23 season, he won the Italian Basketball Cup with Brescia and was named the tournament's MVP.
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Brunk, a low-post specialist who played college basketball for six years
Joey Brunk, a low-post specialist, played college basketball for six years. He spent his first three seasons at Butler, where he didn't play a major role, and then graduated and joined Indiana in 2019. After two seasons with the Hoosiers, Brunk took advantage of the NCAA's extra year of eligibility for players who participated in the 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He then transferred to Ohio State for his final season.
Brunk's journey to Ohio State was an unusual one. After graduating from Butler, he joined Indiana, where he spent two seasons. However, he then decided to take advantage of the NCAA's extra year of eligibility and transferred to Ohio State for his final season. This decision allowed him to play for three different colleges during his six-year college basketball career.
At Ohio State, Brunk stepped up when the team needed him the most. With Zed Key and Kyle Young out with injuries, Brunk averaged 29.3 minutes, 12 points, and 6.3 rebounds in the last three games. His performance and presence were routinely praised by coach Chris Holtmann. Brunk's impact extended beyond the court; his acceptance of his role and his presence in the locker room were invaluable to the team's success.
Brunk's college basketball career came to a close after six seasons, during which he played a total of 120 games and was in line to earn his third degree. Reflecting on his journey, Brunk published a heartfelt thank-you letter to the sport, acknowledging the highs and lows he experienced along the way. Brunk's impact on the court and within the team dynamic will be remembered, and he will forever be a part of the Ohio State basketball family.
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