Penn State’s men’s basketball program is at a crossroads after a 12‑20 finish in the 2025‑26 season, a record that left the Nittany Lions well outside the NCAA tournament and forced a hard look at the roster.
The NCAA’s transfer portal opened for a two‑week window last month, sparking a flurry of movement that saw nine former Lions enter the portal and an equally large group of newcomers eyeing scholarships for the 2026‑27 campaign.
Coach Mike Rhoades, now in the fourth year of a seven‑year contract, has emphasized the need for experience and depth, pointing to a mix of returning scholarship players and high‑profile transfers as the foundation for a turnaround.
A Rebuilding Roster Takes Shape
Among those returning are guard Reggie Grodin, forward Ivan Jurić and big man Chris Lotito, each of whom will look to build on modest contributions from a season that was marked more by growing pains than breakthroughs.
The incoming class brings a blend of international talent and domestic prospects, including Croatian forward Roko Prkačin, French guard François Wibaut, and a trio of American standouts — Jay Rodgers, Brant Byers and Roberts Blums — who are expected to add size, shooting and defensive versatility.
Additional transfers such as Tim Oboh, Thomas Allard, Andy Gemao and Aleksandar Zecevic round out a roster that also welcomes big men from Europe and Africa, while guards like Josh Reed and Jamison White could provide depth off the bench.
The staff also welcomed Dwayne Stephens, a veteran assistant, to help Rhoades shape the new lineup, while longtime figure Tom Izzo remains a touchstone for the program’s culture.
With a rugged Big Ten schedule looming, the Nittany Lions hope the blend of youth, experience and international flair will be enough to compete for a postseason berth and restore the program’s former prominence.