Penn State men's basketball's 2026-27 roster is coming together as head coach Mike Rhoades picks up players via the Transfer Portal and recruitment.
Penn State men's basketball lines up two visits with veteran guards
On Sunday, April 12, he added a veteran guard to the team. Jay Rodgers visited the Nittany Lions and announced his commitment via social media with the hashtag "WeAre." He comes to Happy Valley from Central Connecticut State University.
#commited #WeAre @PennStateMBB pic.twitter.com/KHOF1kh8ZF
— jay rod (@Jayrodgers33) April 12, 2026
Guard Jay Rodgers transfers to Penn State from Central Connecticut State University
Rodgers was one of two guards scheduled to visit Penn State. Dallis Dillard from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a Division II school, is also visiting.
The former Blue Devil averaged 11 points, 6.9 assists, and 2.2 rebounds per game in 2025-26, earning a spot on the All-NEC Second Team. Over his four-season career at CCSU, Rodgers played in 79 games and made 59 starts.
Rodgers is the first addition the Nittany Lions picked up in the portal. The 6-foot-3-inch and 185-pound guard only has one season of eligibility left. This offers a similar balance between young or inexperienced freshman coming in that Rhoades had in 2025-26.
The blue and white earned a commitment from sharpshooter Grant Spacciapolli on April 8, and also added forwards Roko Prkacin and Francois Wibaut from international leagues. Forward Jamison White is also an incoming freshman for the Nittany Lions.
If Rhoades also lands Dillard, he will have a good veteran presence on the court with NCAA-specific experience.
Both would also be key additions at guard as that's where the Nittany Lions lack the most following a number of departures for the Transfer Portal. Rhaodes lost star Kayden Mingo and lead-scorer Freddie Dilione V.
In 2025-26, that experience came from forward Josh Reed who finished his collegiate career at Penn State. Rhoades also has forward Sasa Ciani returning as of Sunday. Ciani will be a senior in 2026-27 for the Nittany Lions if he does not transfer out.
Other returners are rising sophomores Chris Lotito, Tibor Mirtic, Reggie Grodin, and Ivan Juric — all four of who are forwards for Penn State.