Ron Stokes played basketball for Ohio State from 1981-85, served as a captain for two seasons, and was the team MVP and all-Big Ten as a senior. He ranks among the top six all-time for the Buckeyes in assists and steals, and in the top 25 in scoring. Stokes holds a bachelor of science degree in marketing from OSU, and for the last 13 seasons the Canton native has been the expert analyst on the radio broadcasts of Ohio State basketball working with play-by-play announcer Paul Keels. Stokes also is the CEO and president of Three Leaf Productions, a Columbus-based printing, marketing, and advertising business. Stokes, 47, and his wife, Lavita, have been married for 24 years and have four children.

What was your greatest moment as a player?

Late in our last game of the season in St. John Arena, against Michigan State, Troy Taylor threw me a lob for an alley-oop dunk, and the crowd went crazy.

What is your day job?

I am the owner of a printing, marketing, and advertising company in the Columbus area, Three Leaf Productions, and I oversee and direct company policy and operations, and manage the staff, and also work in sales.

What is the best thing about being a Buckeye and being associated with OSU?

You are part of something great. There is the tradition, the history, and the great support — no matter where you go, you are always a Buckeye.

What do you like most about your job on radio?

It keeps me connected with the school and the basketball program, and I've had the opportunity to be on the sidelines for so many great games over the years.

What is the toughest part of that job?

I try to put myself in the shoes of the fan, because I think the true fans want to hear the truth. People know I went to Ohio State, but they also expect me to call a foul a foul and a bad play a bad play.

What do you like to do to relax away from work?

I love watching movies. I go down in my basement, turn the lights off, turn off the rest of the world, and just sit there and enjoy a great movie.

What individuals had the biggest influence on your life?

My mom, my wife, and coach Eldon Miller, since had he not offered me a scholarship, I would not have been a Buckeye, and being a Buckeye set in motion everything that got me to where I am today.

Does Buckeye basketball get under-appreciated because football is so big?

That's a dicey question, but I don't think so. People in Columbus love and respect coach Thad Matta and how he has made this a top basketball program nationally over the last five years. But are we Duke? We're not quite there yet. We are getting more respect, but we don't quite have the complete resume in basketball yet.

What do you remember most about playing in St. John Arena?

I am a big history guy, and knowing that I played in the same place as some of the greats was special. I watched John Havlicek and Jim Cleamons play in the NBA, and I knew they were Buckeyes, too, so playing in the same building as those great players was something very special.

What makes Ohio State so attractive to great players, since year after year, as guys leave for the NBA, more come in?

You have to have all of the pieces in place, and we have the great fan support, our facilities are the best in the nation, and coach Matta has that passion to go out and recruit some of the best players. It all adds up to make this a very attractive place for players to be.

— Matt Markey

First Published April 4, 2010, 10:51 a.m.