Tucker Adds Three Talented Transfers for 2024-25 Season
6/12/2024 3:19:00 PM | Men's Tennis
Will Jansen, Aidan Kim and Chris Li were all top of the lineup players Top 35 teams last season
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State Director of Tennis Ty Tucker has announced the signing of three talented transfers in Will Jansen (North Carolina), Aidan Kim (Florida) and Chris Li (Tennessee) for the 2024-25 season.
“All three of these guys are incredible student-athletes on and off the court,” Tucker said. “They care deeply about their academics and tennis. All of them played at a high-level last year and that experience is going to be a great asset for us next season. We can’t wait for them to get to Columbus and get started.”
Jansen enrolled at North Carolina in January of 2023 and immediately assumed the No. 3 spot in the singles lineup and played No. 3 doubles as a true freshman. He had a 15-6 overall singles record and earned an ITA singles ranking. This past spring as a sophomore, he was 5-5 at the No. 1 spot in the Tar Heels singles lineup and was again, a fixture in the doubles lineup. He was ranked as high as No. 56 in the singles rankings and finished the year at No. 78. A graduate of the Reed's School in his hometown of London, England, Jansen was ranked No. 1 in the United Kingdom in every junior age group and was the 2021 British 18 & under national champion.
“Will is a proven player who's played on the biggest stages,” associate head coach Justin Kronauge said. “He's going to be a great addition to our program and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do as a Buckeye.”
Kim had a great first collegiate season at Florida, posting a 15-12 overall singles record and a 10-10 mark at the Nos. 1 and 2 spots in the Gators lineup. He also won 10 matches as the top doubles pair and finished the year ranked No. 27 in the ITA doubles rankings. As a five-star, blue chip recruit, Kim was the No. 2 ranked recruit in the 2023 class and was ranked the No. 3 collegiate newcomer prior to the start of the collegiate season. He finished the fall ranked No. 57 in the ITA singles rankings. Kim has also had a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 700.
“Aidan’s been a winner throughout his entire junior career, and he’s been near the top of American tennis his whole life,” Kronauge said. “We’re looking forward to working with him and helping him reach his tennis goals, both in college and at the pro level.”
Li played his first two seasons at North Carolina and then played last year at Tennessee. He had a singles record of 26-10 last season, playing primarily at the No. 3 spot. The Lima, Peru native was part of a Tennessee team that was ranked in the top 10 all season and reached the NCAA quarterfinals in Stillwater last month. Li recorded 12 singles wins in his first two seasons at North Carolina prior to his arrival at Tennessee. As a junior player, he won eight junior titles and rose into the Top 100 of the ITF world junior rankings.
“Chris brings a ton of experience with him to Columbus, and we know he will make a positive impact on the team right away,” Kronauge said. “He’s won matches at every level, and we’re excited to see his game continue to grow.”
Kim will have three years of eligibility remaining while Jansen will have two years and Li will have one year remaining.
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