Ohio State then-freshman guard Dorka Juhasz (14) attempts a layup in the first half of the game against Indiana on Jan. 10. Ohio State won 55-50. Credit: Casey Cascaldo | Managing Editor for Multimedia
Dorka Juhász emerged as Ohio State’s standout star in her freshman season, pacing the women’s basketball team in points and rebounds.
As a sophomore, the forward from Hungary is expected to step into a leadership role after her noteworthy play this past season for the Buckeyes.
Head coach Kevin McGuff said she’s already on her way.
“She takes what she does here very seriously in terms of her work ethic,” McGuff said. “She sets a great example. I think she’s always there for the young players as they get acclimated and get used to what they’re doing.”
Juhász’s 2018-19 season was one to watch with a conference fourth-best 12 double-doubles, and a team-leading average of 11.7 points and 9 rebounds per game. She was also No. 2 on the team, behind former guard Carmen Grande, with 33 steals.
The former No. 12 international recruit of the 2018 class said her freshman year was a great start to her Ohio State career, but with seven new players on the Buckeye roster this year, she knows that her role must expand beyond stuffing the stat sheet.
“[Freshman year] gave me a lot of confidence,” Juhász said. “And it showed me that this year I have to be more of a leader and put my team on my back since there are a lot of freshmen.”
Two freshmen she recognizes from her time playing in Hungary are forwards Aixa Wone Aranaz of Spain and Rebeka Mikulášiková of Slovakia. The two played against Juhász in their European leagues. All three previously played for European national teams against one another before becoming Ohio State teammates.
“I thought it would be weird because we were playing against each other,” Juhász said. “But we became great friends in such a short period of time, so I’m really excited to play with them.”
Sophomore guard Janai Crooms said she and Juhász are trying to step into similar guiding roles this season, working off inspiration from the past season’s upperclassmen. She added that her connection with Juhász off the court has helped their chemistry on it.
“I think we play really well together,” Crooms said. “Since we hang out so much off the court, it just comes into play on the court.”
As the season approaches, Juhász said she is excited to play with the young team because of its potential and the opportunity to play multiple years with one another. She said it is exciting to build something special with their talent and chemistry.
Juhász still has more than a month to grow into the role that she and McGuff have for the 6-foot-4 forward, as Ohio State’s opening exhibition game against Urbana doesn’t tip off until Nov. 3.
