Collegian Basketball

Penn State basketball coverage by @DailyCollegian writers @WillHorstman_, @thefifthcm, @mylespsu, @aberegg_noah, @giannamd32 and @krazo05

[Myles Hannak @mylespsu]

Penn State men's basketball has offered class of 2027 prospect Christian Cast out of Detroit Country Day HS in Franklin, MI.

The 6-foot-3 combo guard also holds offers from Toledo, SDSU, Mississippi State and more.

The 4-star is the No. 1 player in his state, via 24/7 Sports.

[Will Horstman @WillHorstman_]

Caught up with Joe Crispin, who was back at Penn State for the CVC golf tournament last week.

He explained how his time as an assistant with PSU prepared him to be the head coach at Air Force.

"I learned a ton the last three years"
https://t.co/wxn81CHZol

[Will Horstman @WillHorstman_]

Dwayne Stephens was hired as an assistant coach for Penn State basketball in May.

Mike Rhoades said he's already made a "great positive impact," and Stephens talked about his new role last week.

"I just appreciate the opportunity to be here"
https://t.co/lRSYrlU7mS

[Will Horstman @WillHorstman_]

Brent Scott was recently promoted to associate head coach for Penn State.

Mike Rhoades described that as an easy decision with the job he's done developing Penn State's centers.

"He wants to give and give and give, and he doesn't want an ounce of credit"
https://t.co/3GZxWuBmha

[Will Horstman @WillHorstman_]

Former Penn State player DJ Newbill was named MVP of the B.League in Japan for the third consecutive season

[Will Horstman @WillHorstman_]

Penn State held its 29th-annual Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Tournament yesterday.

It's a tradition that brings the team's community together to support Penn State's chapter of Coaches vs. Cancer, which has raised $5 million all time.

Story:
https://t.co/qQJsJiuYwf

[Noah Aberegg @aberegg_noah]

Former Lady Lion Peyton Whitted was named the next head coach at Westminster College.

She played for Penn State from 2013-2017 and spent several years playing abroad

[Will Horstman @WillHorstman_]

To add to this: Mike Rhoades said Ivan Jurić has added size, gaining 30 pounds. He was listed at 7-feet, 250 pounds last season.

Clay Conner told me that during postseason workouts in the four weeks after the 2025-26 season, Jurić's body has "taking it to the next level"

[Will Horstman @WillHorstman_]

Mike Rhoades said he likes his team's skill level.

"You got to put it together on the court come November, but I do like the pieces we have."

He said he doesn't have as much depth as he would want, but he does like the fact that the roster got older.

"You got to be older to give yourself a chance, and we've done that"

[Will Horstman @WillHorstman_]

New Penn State assistant DJ Stephens was on Tom Izzo's staff at Michigan State from 2003-2022.

Mike Rhoades said he's made a "great positive impression already."

"That's a flagship program that he was at for a long time, was a part of the teams that went to the pinnacle of college basketball. I think that's a valuable resource for us"

[Will Horstman @WillHorstman_]

Joe Crispin was back at Penn State for the Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Tournament today. He told me the event has "always been an inspirational thing and a unification thing for the community."

Crispin was hired as the head coach at Air Force this offseason. He said he was looking for the right situation and circumstance to be a head coach, and Air Force "presented itself as a very obvious one"

[Will Horstman @WillHorstman_]

Brent Scott told me he's "so excited" to have Ivan Jurić back for his sophomore year.

"I wanted him back more than anything, and I was super happy when he made his decision to come back. He had a great freshman year, but I think he has a chance to be really, really special"

[Will Horstman @WillHorstman_]

Mike Rhoades said it was an easy decision to promote assistant Brent Scott to associate head coach.

“(His) loyalty to our program, to the players, to the staff is second to none. His approach, his coaching and his leadership, the way he teaches, it's high level”

[Will Horstman @WillHorstman_]

Penn State recently became the fourth chapter of Coaches vs Cancer in the United States to raise $5 million for the cause.

Mike Rhoades: “Says a lot about Penn State, our community here, and State College, and so many people being a part of it”

[Will Horstman @WillHorstman_]

Hello from the Walker Clubhouse. Here for the 29th annual Coaches vs. Cancer Penn State Golf Tournament.

We’re set to hear from Mike Rhoades for the first time this offseason

[Noah Aberegg @aberegg_noah]

Penn State women's basketball has earned a commitment from former Nevada guard Skylar Durley.

The 5-foot-9 freshman earned Mountain West Freshman of the Year honors, starting in all 31 games with 11.8 points and six rebounds per game

[Will Horstman @WillHorstman_]

Penn State basketball posted its first roster for the 2026-27 season on its website today.

Everything you need to know:
https://t.co/d8eOSXrvlC

[Will Horstman @WillHorstman_]

Some more title updates on Penn State basketball's staff:

-Penn State has hired Sam Little to be the video coordinator/player development. He was an assistant coach/video coordinator at Western Michigan for the past two seasons under Dwayne Stephens

-Patrick Dorney is the chief of staff after being the director of basketball operations for the past three seasons. He replaces Tiana Myers Rich, who is no longer listed on Penn State's staff and was the chief of staff since the 2023-24 season

-Jake Szczecina is the director of basketball operations after being the video coordinator for the past three seasons

[Will Horstman @WillHorstman_]

Penn State’s Brent Scott has been promoted to associate head coach.

Scott was an assistant coach for the past three seasons under Mike Rhoades. He’s been key in the development of the Nittany Lions’ centers, such as 2025 first round NBA draft pick Yanic Konan Niederhauser

[Will Horstman @WillHorstman_]

Penn State basketball posted a new roster with measurements for the 2026-27 season on its website:

Thomas Allard: 6-foot-7, 210 pounds
Roberts Blums: 6-foot-4, 190 pounds
Brant Byers: 6-foot-8, 200 pounds
Andy Gemao: 6-foot-1
Tim Oboh: 6-foot-11, 230 pounds
Jay Rodgers: 6-foot-3, 185 pounds
Grant Spacciapolli: 6-foot-3
Aleksandar Zecevic: 6-foot-9
Ivan Jurić: 7-foot, 250 pounds
Reggie Grodin: 6-foot-5, 200 pounds
Chris Lotito: 6-foot-7, 215 pounds