Mike Rhoades may bring four-star PA native with him to Happy Valley

Last night, it was announced that the Penn State basketball team has a new head coach as long as the compensation committee can agree on the move. Mike Rhoades — the former head coach of the VCU Rams — will be taking over basketball operations in State College; he has a full rebuild on his hands, which could end up being a good thing with the propper use of the transfer portal. Additionally, VCU has a four-star big man (Christian Fermin) — who happens to be a PA native — that Penn State should have its eyes on.

New Penn State basketball coach may bring four-star big man with him to Happy Valley

Throughout his six seasons with VCU, Mike Rhoades compiled an impressive 129-61 overall record with two A-10 conference titles and three NCAA tournament appearances. He also did a solid job recruiting the transfer portal and brought some incredible talents to Richmond, VA. Now, it is reported that Rhoades — a central PA native — will be coming home to coach the Penn State Nittany Lions.

The top recruit in his 2022 recruiting class at VCU is Christian Fermin, a four-star center out of Pocono Mountain West High School in Pocono Summit, PA. As a fellow PA native, Rhoades may be looking to being Fermin back with him to Penn State basketball to start the Nittany Lions’ rebuild.

Would Christian Fermin be a good fit in the Blue and White?

As a recruit, Christian Fermin was rated as a four-star recruit by nearly every major outlet, and was ranked as the No. 125 player in the class, the No. 18 center, and the No. 4 player in the state of Pennsylvania. Fermin stands at 6-foot-10 and weighs in around 215-pounds; he is immensely talented, and could be looking to take the jump from A-10 hoops to Big Ten hoops.

Fresh out of high school, Fermin chose Mike Rhoades’ VCU Rams over Pitt, Penn State, and others; though with Rhoades on his way to Happy Valley, his mind could be changed.

VCU has a talented roster during Fermin’s freshman season, so he did not see the court much, though he is said to have a high motor and fit Rhoades’ unique style of basketball. He would make a great addition to the first stages of the Penn State basketball rebuild under Mike Rhoades, and as a PA native, he would fit the Nittany Lions’ culture perfectly.

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