Penn State basketball had a historic run this season, due in large part to recruiting experienced players from the portal. Head coach Micah Shrewsberry has effectively used the transfer portal to make Penn State a better team. And as the Nittany Lions wrap up their 2023 season, it doesn’t appear that Shrewsberry will be changing his strategy any time soon as the Lions could make a push for transfer forward Don Campbell.
Penn State’s Transfer Portal Success to Date
Siena transfer Jalen Pickett is Penn State’s first All-American in men’s basketball since 1955. Without Pickett, Penn State would not be where they are today. Penn State reached its first March Madness since 2011. It is reasonable to see Penn State’s team leader in points per game, rebounds per game, and assists per game as a big reason for their success in his two years in State College.
Another significant transfer for Penn State has been Andrew Funk. Funk is averaging 12.5 PPG in the 2022-2023 season. The Bucknell transfer has been a game-changer in Shrewsberry’s three-point-heavy offense. The sharpshooter had 27 points in Penn State’s round one matchup against Texas A&M.
Camren Wynter is a Drexel transfer who has been another crucial piece for Penn State. Wynter hit two game-winners to get Penn State to the tournament. Shrewsberry also benefitted when Michael Henn transferred his fourth and final time to Penn State. The veteran has been around the block and has a lot of experience.
A Name to Watch for this Offseason: Dom Campbell
The transfer portal continues to be a big part of Penn State’s plans for the future. One target of the Nittany Lions is former three-star power forward prospect Dom Campbell.
Campbell was a member of Notre Dame’s 2022 class. The 6-9 268-pound freshman only averaged 3.6 min this season and appeared in 10 games. After the season, Campbell decided entering the transfer portal was in his best interest.
According to The Portal Report, Campbell has interest from over 25 programs, including Loyola Chicago, Boston University, Princeton, Davidson, Colgate, St. Bonaventure, Siena, and Penn State.
Penn State could use another big man like Don Campbell on their roster to accompany Kebba Njie and 2023 prospect Carey Booth. It will be interesting to see how the Nittany Lions fare in Campbell’s re-recruitment.
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