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ATHENS, Ohio — The Ohio men's basketball program added two to its signing class for the 2026-27 season, head coach Jeff Boals announced. Jordie Bowens and Xavier McKinney will join the Bobcats in 2026.
"Both X and Jordie come from a great Reynoldsburg team coached by Andrew Moore," Boals said.
Bowens is a 6'6 wing from Reynoldsburg, Ohio, where he captained the Reynoldsburg High School basketball team during his senior season. During his junior season at Reynoldsburg, Bowens was named First-Team All-OCC and Honorable Mention All-State while leading his team to the Division 1 State Final and helping Reynoldsburg to a 26-2 record. In that same season, Bowens averaged 14 points, seven rebounds and two blocks per game. Bowens also played for several club teams during his high school career.
"Jordie is the ultimate team player who does whatever the team needs him to do to win," Boals said. "He has a high motor, is a spectacular athlete and a relentless competitor. He is a high character young man who keeps getting better and better."
When he's not playing basketball, Bowens enjoys fashion, playing video games, lifting weights, listening to music and hanging out with his friends and family. Bowens is the son of Adrian and Juakita Bowens and has two brothers, Jalen and Christian, and two sisters, Kaelyn and Kendal.
McKinney is a 6'4 guard is also from Reynoldsburg, Ohio, where he captains the Reynoldsburg High School basketball team during his senior season. McKinney is a four-time varsity letter winner at Reynoldsburg and helped his team reach the state final during his junior season, leading Reynoldsburg to a 26-2 record. During that season, McKinney was an All-State Honorable Mention and a First-Team All-OCC selection. In his junior year, McKinney played 28 games, averaging 15 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Off the court, McKinney is a lifeguard in the City of Columbus.
"We are elated to add Xavier to our men's basketball family," Boals said. "He is a high character young man with a very competitive spirit. He's the son of a coach and has been around winning his entire high school career. X will be a great addition to our program and will make an impact on both ends of the floor next season."
McKinney is the son of William and Anissa McKinney. His mother, Anissa, played basketball at Ohio Wesleyan University from 1997 to 2001. Xavier's aunts, Lorenda and Jamila Haynes, both played collegiate basketball, with Lorenda playing at Michigan State from 2003 to 2007 and Jamila playing at Hofstra from 2000 to 2003. McKinney has one brother, Braylon.
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