John Harrar: ‘I’m Just a Penn State head, that’s why I’m here’
By Evan Smith
Penn State Basketball standout John Harrar reaffirmed his commit to Penn State Basketball, despite spending time in the transfer portal.
On The Midnight Domino Show hosted by now former Nittany Lion Myreon Jones and current Penn Stater John Harrar, the returning fifth year center commented on his experience in the portal “I’m just a Penn State head, that’s why I’m here!”
In their first major episode of Season 2, Jones and Harrar spoke about the re-recruiting process. Myreon Jones transferred to Florida back in April, less than a month in the Transfer Portal and a few weeks later said that Penn State never even reached out to him.
But John Harrar decided to return to Penn State for his fifth year, even after being heavily recruited by a lot of big name schools, including B1G rivals Ohio State. Harrar wasn’t recruited much out of high school (only schools offering for basketball were Penn State and Connecticut). He mentioned that Pat Chambers took a chance on him just because he was from his area and went on to talk about how this was really his first experience of the ‘wild world of recruiting’.
"“I went in and just tried to figure out the landscape. I was never really recruited for basketball. I’m just some dude that likes to compete. I was shocked, don’t know what’s happening, just hearing from these schools, I was just trying to hear them out…I’m just a Penn State head, I just love it and that’s why I’m still here.”"
Jones stated that he tried to find a school that was the best fit and wanted to take his time but wanted to make his decision after the NCAA Tournament. Of importance was finding a team that could win right away, compared to Penn State which “hadn’t made the tournament yet.” He went on to say he wasn’t necessarily trying to go south but it was more conveience for the Mobile, Alabama native.
No matter what, it’s great to see these two student athletes continue “The Midnight Domino Show” podcast even now as former teammates!
