BREAKING: Penn State basketball star Puff Johnson to return in 2024-2025

With the Penn State basketball season now at a close, many players will need to make decisions about their future. Some might test the waters of heading to the NBA, while others could dip into the transfer portal. But Mike Rhoades needs to understand which players from this past season will be returning to Happy Valley to continue to build this program. Rhoades got a major piece of his roster back Tuesday, as Jon Rothstein reports that Puff Johnson will return to Penn State for the 2024-2025 season.

Penn State basketball star Puff Johnson to return in 2024-2025

Thinking back to this time last year, Micah Shrewsberry the Nittany Lions had so much momentum surrounding the Penn State basketball program heading into March. They made the Big Ten Championship game and went to the second round in the NCAA Tournament.

But how quickly things change in the world of college basketball. While many expected Mike Rhoades to struggle this season, it’s fair to say he exceeded expectations for many. Now, it’s his turn to build more momentum with his roster.

On Tuesday, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reported that Puff Johnson will return to Penn State for the 2024-2025 season. To have some consistency in the program from a roster standpoint and a leadership perspective will be helpful.

Puff Johnson tells me that he will return to Penn State next season and use his additional year of eligibility.

Averaged 7.3 PPG.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 26, 2024

Puff Johnson’s first season in Happy Valley

Looking back at his first season at Penn State, Puff Johnson showed flashes of success on the court. The senior from Moon Township, PA averaged 7.3 points per game. Johnson ended the season in the Big Ten Tournament with 16 points and 8 rebounds.

For a player who mostly came off the bench in his North Carolina career, Johnson went back and forth between a starter and a reserve throughout the season. For Rhoades to get a player as gifted as Johnson back for next season is massive news for the Nittany Lions.

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