5 Year Plan

It’s not the path that David Lighty asked for. When we talk about a 5 year plan, usually you are thinking about a student that messes around their first full year and has academic issues, or a player that gets a redshirt for one reason or another. While true for David, he was no traditional redshirt.

He came to Ohio State with the likes of Greg Oden, Mike Conley, and Daquen Cook and made a splash, with his biggest moment probably being the big 3 he hit in the regional semifinal game against Tennessee.

Many say that David Lighty could have also been  big time at Ohio State by playing football.  Put him alongside Posey, and you might have 2 big time receivers.  It just goes to show that sometimes Coach Matta even out-recruits coaches at his own school.

However, his has been a career with a ton of ups and downs, even before he got to Columbus. As most fans know, he is currently coming back from his 3rd injury in a 6 year time span- let’s take a quick look at the Lighty Roller Coaster:

Down: He had a season ending ACL inury his junior year in high school.

Up: Followed that up with a senior season in which he took Cleveland Villa Angela St. Joseph High School to the state title game.

Down: Lost state title game.

Up/Down: His freshman season at Ohio State was up and down; he  was a starter at the beginning of the season, found himself benched, but stepped up huge off the bench in tournament.

Down: Ended on a down note as the Buckeyes lost the championship game against Florida and all the freshmen that he came in with left early for the NBA.

Up: Huge Sophomore season playing 32 minutes/game and averaging 9 pts/game.  He helped cap the season off with an NIT championship, where he averaged 11 pts/game

Down: After just 7 games into his junior season, suffered a season ending injury to his foot.

Up: Huge Red-shirt Junior season in which he was a leader on and off the court and helped lead them to a Sweet 16 appearance.  Started all 37 games and earned 3rd team all Big Ten.

Down: Off season injury to the same foot he injured earlier in his career.

Up: Yet to be determined but let’s hope for a Big Ten championship, a successful post season that leads to an NCAA championship.

When he returned to practice Assistant Coach Jeff Boals was heard to say that David  “looks like he hasn’t missed a beat.” Buckeye fans have got to be excited and encouraged by this assessment.

While this wasn’t the path that DLight and may others were projecting when he stepped foot on campus,  it is the cards that he has been dealt and he has played them with a great attitude and a smile on his face the whole time.  Number 23 is one of the most well rounded individuals that you will meet.

Ohio State fans should look for more big time dunks coming to the Schott this year-  Here’s my favorite Lighty moment so far in his career:

Here’s to a big time season, and also a successful career in the NBA on down the road.