Penn State head coach Mike Rhoades year-end press conference
Penn State head coach Mike Rhoades and the Nittany Lions have their second verbal commitment of the Class of 2025 cycle. Mason Blackwood, an On3 Industry Ranking three-star, rated No. 120 nationally, has made his pledge to the program.
The 6-foot-7 small forward out of New Hampton School (N.H.) visited Penn State officially the weekend of Sept. 7. Less than two weeks after his trip to Happy Valley, he first announced that he narrowed his choices to Rutgers and Penn State, and followed it when he made the call to Rhoades and the Nittany Lions, announcing it via press conference on Wednesday afternoon. Blackwood’s offer sheet after Penn State and Rutgers included Boston College, West Virginia, Fordham, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Washington, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Buffalo, among others.
“I chose Penn State because of the genuine love the coaches showed at Penn State to me and my family,” Blackwood told On3’s Joe Tipton. “I loved the opportunity they presented to me, and the goals they had laid out for me and I felt like I resented with them extremely well and it was a great fit.
“WE ARE… headed for something special! I’m beyond excited to officially commit to Penn State and join this amazing family. The energy, the passion, and the culture here are unmatched, and I can’t wait to give it my all on the court in blue and white. Let’s go Nittany Nation!!”
Blackwood joins 7-foot center Justin Houser, who picked Penn State on June 26 to kick off the class. The Nittany Lions will have five scholarships open following the 2024-25 season.
Jamie Shaw evaluates 3-star F Mason Blackwood (City Rocks)
From the May EYBL stop in Indianapolis:
“Mason Blackwood has a strong frame with good length and athletic explosion. The 6-foot-7 forward was able to consistently attack the basket with purpose. He absorbed contact and finished at the rim or got to the free-throw line. Blackwood made plays on defense and he filled the passing lanes hard on the break.
“His breakout performance was a 23-point outing against the Oakland Soldiers, but he was able to maintain consistent outputs throughout the weekend. Blackwood averaged 13.5 points and 6.8 rebounds on 58.3 percent shooting during EYBL Indy.”
Next steps for Penn State
Finishing up summer workouts on Aug. 8, the Nittany Lions disbanded for a short break before reuniting at the start of Penn State’s fall semester that began on Aug. 26. Taking part in informal workouts upon their returns, the Nittany Lions are set to begin their fall camp on Monday, Sept. 23.
Taking on Binghamton to open the 2024-25 schedule just six weeks on from that date, the Nittany Lions hope to be a team that delivers on one of the primary objectives of Rhoades and his staff for the past 17 months. Determined to build a culture and a program upon which success can emanate, he left the team’s summer workouts optimistic that those traits were flourishing.
“The returning guys are better leaders, and they’re better workers, and they’re more disciplined than they were a year ago. For the new guys to catch on quicker maybe than guys did last year or the year before. That’s how you build it,” said Rhoades. “And then the other side of it is competing the way we compete every day. Not everybody wants to do that. We got to find guys that do that.
“I really like our group so far this summer because of the way we compete. They go after each other with purpose. It’s not like we’re not getting something out of it. We’re competing to win around here every day. But there’s a purpose of each drill that we’re competing in, or a scrimmage, or whatever it may be; the competitions in the weight room or on the hill outside. You’re competing, but understanding the purpose of why we’re competing. That’s how you move along faster.”
Where things stand for Penn State (13 of 13 scholarships filled)
Guards Ace Baldwin, Jahvin Carter, D’Marco Dunn, Dominick Stewart, Freddie Dilione
Wings Nick Kern, Zach Hicks, Puff Johnson, Hudson Ward, Eli Rice
Bigs Miles Goodman, Kachi Nzeh, Yanic Konan Niederhauser
Penn State scholarship breakdown by class
Bonus year (2): Ace Baldwin, Puff Johnson
Fourth year (3): Nick Kern, Zach Hicks, D’Marco Dunn
Third year (1): Yanic Konan Niederhauser
Second year (3): Kachi Nzeh, Eli Rice, Freddie Dilione
First year (4): Jahvin Carter, Miles Goodman, Dominick Stewart, Hudson Ward
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