Penn State men's basketball is down to two guards following the latest Nittany Lion's departure via the Transfer Portal.
Penn State men's basketball unsurprisingly loses 3rd guard to Transfer Portal
Freddie Dilione V, Melih Tunca, and Eli Rice announced their plans to eneter the portal when it opened on Tuesday, April 7. As soon as the portal opened, another followed in their footsteps: freshman guard Kayden Mingo.
Mingo was a four-star recruit out of New York, ranking 34th nationally among the Class of 2025 and fourth among combo guards. He was head coach Mike Rhoades' prize possession and symbolized new beginnings with fresh talent out on the court for the blue and white. Unfortunately for Rhoades, that didn't pan out as intended as Penn State suffered another disappointing season.
On social media, Mingo shared his appreciation for the Nittany Lions and State College, writing "i love yall 4ever."
NEW: Penn State guard Kayden Mingo plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, @DraftExpress reports.
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) April 8, 2026
Mingo averaged 13.7 points and 4.3 assists per game last season.https://t.co/Im777miSMM pic.twitter.com/KEyy5p6fLv
Guard Kayden Mingo enters the Transfer Portal following Penn State's embarrassing 2025-26 season
Mingo averaged 13.7 points per game and was 47.7 percent from the field, 24.4 percent beyond the arc, and 70.5 percent from the free throw line as a freshman. Over 28 games, all of which he started in, he also logged 121 assists, 83 defensive rebounds, 58 steals,15 offensive rebounds, and five blocks.
This is a huge loss for Rhoades. Two freshmen leaving the program after one season puts a roadblock in his plans to build the Nittany Lions on a new foundation.
In addition to that, hopes of flipping Class of 2026 combo guard Dylan Mingo are completely diminished. Following North Carolina firing head coach Hubert Davis, there was potential for Rhoades to take Kayden Mingo's younger brother away from the Tar Heels. At the time when Dylan Mingo announced his decision, Penn State was in the running.
The recruit also shared a message in support of his older brother entering the Transfer Portal. On social media, he reposted the announcement and captioned it, "Gods plan."
Penn State is also down forward Josh Reed, who will not return to Happy Valley either as his NCAA eligibility expired.