Potential Penn State basketball transfer portal targets: guard

It’s shaping up to be another busy transfer portal season for Penn State basketball. With a wave of portal entrees in the spring window’s first week, the Nittany Lions will have multiple roster holes to fill for the 2024-25 season. But Mike Rhoades and his staff have already started to seek out portal talent, most notably at guard,

Penn State basketball transfer portal breakdown: guard

Five members of last year’s Penn State basketball roster have hit the transfer portal since the window officially opened on Monday. Factoring in three graduates and four incoming Nittany Lions in the class of 2024, Mike Rhoades has four slots to fill via the portal.

Guard will be one of the most critical needs for Mike Rhoades and his staff this offseason, with Kanye Clary and Jameel Brown being two of the exiting Nittany Lions. Let’s break down a few of the potential transfer portal targets for Penn State this spring.

Clark Slajchert

Position: SG/PG

Height: 6’1

Weight: 170

Previous School: Penn

Eligibility Remaining: 1 year

Clark Slajchert was one of the first transfer portal entries this cycle, coming off a productive season at Penn. The senior averaged 18 points on 49% from the field, 42% from deep, and 82% from the line, with 2.9 assists and 3 rebounds per game.

Slajchert uses quick passes and relocation, as well as off-balance jumpers, to score his points. He’s constantly active on offense and is never afraid of a shot. Slajchert frequently played on-ball for the Quakers, more out of necessity than by choice. However, he was able to increase his scoring output and efficiency while doing so, which is always a good sign.

Mostly a jump shooter, but Slajchert is an effective finisher at the rim, shooting 62% from inside. Most of his shots come from either the mid-range or three-point line, and he excels at both. He shoots solid percentages all over the court and is comfortable taking shots off movement and at different angles.

Even though he was more of an on-ball guard for Penn, Slajchert excelled as an off-ball player, as well. He had a 69% EFG on catch-and-shoot jumpers, which is good for the 98th percentile in the country. He is also extremely efficient in spot-up situations, with 1.21 points per possession, which is in the 89th percentile.

That off-ball ability projects very well in a fit next to Ace Baldwin. He is not the best on-ball player, but in a pinch, he can give you solid minutes at the one position with a low turnover rate and decent self-creation. Besides scoring, Slajchert is not bringing much to the table, and he isn’t a great defender. He reminds me a bit of Andrew Funk but with a better all-around game. I don’t know if he would be the sniper Funk was, but you could trust him to put the ball on the floor more.

Overall, Clark Slajchert would be a solid addition for Penn State basketball that would provide a nice boost to the offense. 

Jacob Meyer

Position: PG/SG

Height: 6’2

Weight: 195

Previous School: Coastal Carolina 

Eligibility Remaining: 3 years

Jacob Meyer entered the transfer portal after a standout freshman year that saw him average 15.8 points with 5.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. He shot 45% from the field, 41% from deep, and 68% from the free throw line.

Meyer is relentless in getting to the rim, with 42% of his shots coming from that range. Now, he isn’t the most efficient once there, shooting only 47%. But his ability to get to the basket is special for someone so young.

Meyer is able to use this driving ability to keep the defense on their heels, which opens up opportunities for his jumper. As his three-point percentage indicates, he has a solid shooting stroke, and, just like Clark, he really showcases it in an off-ball role. He had a fantastic 65% EFG on catch-and-shoot jumpers, which puts him in the 94th percentile for Division 1 players. He is also efficient in spot-up situations with 1.01 PPP, which is good for the 69th percentile. These numbers again show great promise in a more off-ball role, and Meyer would get that opportunity next to Baldwin.

Meyer profiles more as a true combo guard. He is comfortable with the ball in his hands despite a bit of a turnover problem, which is not uncommon for young players in high-usage roles.

He also plays with a good edge on defense that, mixed with decent athleticism, should help him fit into Mike Rhoades’ system. He reminds me a bit of Kanye Clary with the persistence he shows in getting to the rim, but obviously, Meyer grades out as a much better off-ball player.

Jacob Meyer has his flaws, but has immense talent for someone so young and has already flashed a ton of production. He would be a nice pairing for the Penn State backcourt next season and then could possibly be the main player to take over his role after next year.

Jordan Ivy-Curry

Position: PG/SG

Height: 6’3

Weight: 175

Previous School: UTSA

Eligibility Remaining: 1 year

Jordan Ivy-Curry is hitting the transfer portal for the third time in his career, this time after a stellar season in his second stint at UTSA. He averaged 17.1 points on 40% shooting from the field, 39% from 3, and 80% from the stripe. He also added 5.2 rebounds and 3 assists per game.

Ivy-Curry is much more of a true point guard, more than the assists total would show. He has a strong 26% assist rate and looks to get his teammates involved often.

As a scorer, he is mostly a jump shooter. He is a shifty ball handler who is skilled at creating space to get shots off. Ivy-Curry shoots well from all over the floor and has deep range. His shot is quick and he can get it off easily off the dribble.

Ivy-Curry is decent as a ball screen handler, ranking in the 60th percentile with 0.8 PPP. However, as with the other guards mentioned here, he seems to excel as an off-ball player. Ivy-Curry has an unreal 70% EFG on catch-and-shoot jumpers, which puts him in the 98th percentile.

Ivy-Curry is also the most efficient of the three in spot-up situations, with 1.13 PPP, which puts him in the 82nd percentile.

These numbers again indicate he would be a nice fit in the backcourt for Penn State basketball. His shot creation, whether for himself or others, seems to make him the best of both worlds as a potential partner for Baldwin. 

Jordan Ivy-Curry isn’t perfect: his overall efficiency is low, his defense leaves a lot to be desired, and, similarly to Meyer, he has a turnover problem. But despite all this, the new dimension he could add to Penn State basketball as an off ball scorer and secondary playmaker could be huge for the team. 

Which of these guards would make the most sense for Mike Rhoades and Penn State?

The clear theme in all three players discussed is the very positive off-ball traits. All three excel as catch-and-shoot jump shooters and are effective in spot-up situations. This makes a lot of sense for what Penn State basketball needs. Ace Baldwin will handle the basketball, so bringing in guards that can be effective without high usage will get the most out of the backcourt.

Another interesting trend is that these players aren’t primarily off-ball players for their old teams. This seems to show that while off-ball play is important, Mike Rhoades and Penn State want guards who can be effective with the ball, too.

After the dismissal of Kanye Clary, Baldwin had to essentially play every minute of every game, because he was the only point guard on the roster. In an ideal world, you get a guard that can be effective with Baldwin, but also perform as the point guard at times so he can sit.

Of these three players, I personally would rank Meyer as the top target for Penn State basketball due to the number of years the Nittany Lions could get out of him, then followed by Ivy-Curry, and last, Slajchert. But ultimately, all three of these guards are talented basketball players who would improve Penn State basketball for next year. 

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