Penn State men's basketball continues losing freshman talent to the Transfer Portal, and on April 9, it lost its first forward of the bunch.
Michigan men's basketball's recent history is noteworthy for Penn State fans
Justin Houser, a former three-star recruit from Pennsylvania, entered the portal on Thursday. The 7-foot and 235-pound forward played in just 18 games for the Nittany Lions in 2025-26.
BREAKING: Penn State 7-footer Justin Houser is entering the transfer portal, per @DushawnLondon1.
— Will Horstman (@WillHorstman_) April 9, 2026
Houser averaged 1.4 points and 1.1 rebounds per game with 42.9% shooting from the field in 18 appearances as a freshman.
(📸: Owen Bellard) pic.twitter.com/NGZyvqmGcw
Penn State basketball forward Justin Houser joins freshman Mason Blackwood in the Transfer Portal
Across 112 minutes of playing time, Houser averaged 1.4 points per game and shot 42.9 percent from the field. He was 33.3 percent behind the arc and 62.5 percent from the free throw line as well. He had 15 rebounds on defense, eight blocks, five rebounds on offense, three assists, and two steals during his freshman campaign.
His decision doesn't come as a surprise as he didn't have a full-time role on the court for the Nittany Lions. It's still, however, a kick in the teeth given the number of players entering the portal.
Houser is the second freshman forward departing from the program. Mason Blackwood was the first who entered the portal from the freshman group at that position. Ivan Juric announced his return to Happy Valley prior to the portal opening. there have been no updates on the status of Chris Lotito and Tibor Mirtic.
Houser and Blackwood are not the only freshmen leaving either. Guards Melih Tunca and Kayden Mingo entered the portal as well. Redshirt junior guard Freddie Dilione V and redshirt sophomore guard Eli Rice are also leaving the program. Senior guard Josh Reed is not eligible to return to the collegiate level.
Despite losing many freshmen already after head coach Mike Rhoades' attempts at rebuilding the program around young and fresh talent, he already signed two overseas forwards in the offseason: Roko Prkacin and Francois Wibaut.
After failing to retain key players, like Mingo, however, Rhoades can't have the 2026-27 season end up with a group of fresh faces leaving after one season. Something needs to turnaround in Happy Valley, and talent overseas might be Rhoades' answer. Another strong class recruiting class might be on the horizon, but now the challenge is keeping them put at Penn State.