Penn State’s Trent Buttrick to UMass: Another front court option disappears
By Evan Smith
Former Penn State big man Trent Buttrick has announced his new destination, transferring to the University of Massachusetts.
Buttrick has one year of eligibility left thanks to the NCAA granting an additional year of eligibility to all players due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Like with Jamari Wheeler’s transfer, Buttrick went out of his way to thank the previous coaching staff of Pat Chambers. He stated: “I want to thank Coach Chambers and his staff for giving me a chance and believing in me. I have grown so much as a player and a man.”
Buttrick was a stretch-four, but forced to play center in the grueling B1G conference. While he was able to hit some outside shots as the year progressed and had a few highlight reel blocks off the ball, he was too small to guard the Cockburn’s and Dicksinson’s this conference requires.
Trent should get immediate playing time for the Minutemen and will likely start at the 4 position.
Buttrick went on to speak highly of his time at Penn State, stating:
"“These past four years have been nothing short of unforgettable. Nittany Nation has welcomed be from the day I stepped foot on campus and for that I am grateful. I will always be a Nittany Lion at heart.”"
It would be interesting to see if new head coach Micah Shrewsberry could can get UMass in the Bryce Jordan Center this winter for a non-conference game so fans can give Buttrick a round of applause for appreciation of his time in the pink and black.
https://mobile.twitter.com/trent_buttrick/status/1379815770717323269?s=21