Penn State basketball: Ivy League star could add serious boost to Lions’ scoring

The Penn State basketball roster is starting to come together. Over the last month, Mike Rhoades has used the transfer portal to build up his new-look Nittany Lions roster from bare bones. But there’s still room for growth, and Rhoades’ staff could soon be setting their focus on in-state Ivy League star Jordan Dingle who recently entered the transfer portal.

Penn State transfer portal additions to date

Since becoming head coach in March, Rhoades has been actively using the transfer portal to improve Penn State’s basketball team. Two notable transfers from his former team, VCU standouts Ace Baldwin and Nick Kern, are expected to make an immediate impact with their familiarity with Rhoades’ system.

To address the loss of three-point production from Andrew Funk, Penn State brought in Temple transfer Zach Hicks. Further, the recent additions of North Carolina transfer Puff Johnson and former Maryland and Georgetown big man Qudus Wahab will add depth to the Nittany Lion frontcourt.

Despite these additions, Penn State still has five scholarships available for the upcoming season. Rhoades may want to use one of these to go after one of the most highly coveted players currently in the transfer portal.

Ivy League star Jordan Dingle enters the portal

On Friday, Ivy League star Jordan Dingle entered the transfer portal. Dingle, who won Ivy League Player of the Year last season at Penn, could provide a valuable boost to Penn State in the scoring department. Last year, Dingle averaged 23.4 points per game, shooting 46.4% from the floor and 35.6% from three.

Originally from Valley Stream, NY, Dingle played high school basketball at Blair Academy in New Jersey. This is the same school attended by former Nittany Lions defensive end Odafe Oweh and his brother Irekefe, who played on the Penn State basketball team from 2021-2022. Despite being an unranked prospect with only one offer from Penn, Dingle’s productivity and experience at the collegiate level make him a highly sought-after player.

Penn State should look to pursue Dingle, as he is a productive player with connections to Pennsylvania. However, Dingle may consider playing for his father’s former head coach, John Calipari, at Kentucky. Regardless, the Nittany Lions should prioritize Dingle as a player in the transfer portal.

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