Catching Up with Penn State Basketball
By Evan Smith
While Penn State basketball hasn’t added to their roster (more on that below), it’s been a busy time within and around the program.
First off, some good news for two alumni of the program.
2011 graduate Andrew Jones III accepted a coaching position with the Detriot Pistons as an Assistant Coach working within Player Development. “Drew” Jones held a similar position with his hometown Philadelphia 76ers last year.
Jones III was a starting center for the Nittany Lions in their last NCAA Tournament Appearance (a brutal 66-64 loss in Tuscon, Arizona). Jones has been working his way up the NBA Coaching tree and this next step is a continuation of that process.
2021 graduate Taylor Nussbaum signed a contract to play for Hapoel Hevel Eliot in Isreal, announcing the contract on his Instagram page. HE plays in Isreal’s South Division and collected an 11-13 record last year. Nussbaum only played 12 games in his Nittany Lion career but it’s always great to have more PSU presence playing at the next level.
Here’s a look at what is happening around the Penn State Basketball program as July nears its close
The Current Nittany Lions
Returning star center John Harrar was named a Big Ten Outstanding Sportsmanship Award winner (along with women’s soccer star Kerry Abello).
Harrar was one of just 28 award winners from the entire conference.
New Head Coach Micah Shrewsberry surprised the team earlier this week with an indoor wiffle ball competition instead of practice, according to the Penn State Basketball Facebook page.
Players beat the staff 34-31 in this fun-filled practice, and you can see in the video Harrar sliding into home for an ‘inside the park home-run’!