Look, being a Penn State hoops fan usually requires a certain level of emotional callusing. We’ve seen it all—the bubble-bursting losses, the coaching carousels, and that feeling of "maybe next year." But the current Penn State basketball roster under Mike Rhoades is something entirely different. It’s young. Like, "half the team needs a GPS to find the HUB-Robeson Center" young.
Honestly, we are looking at one of the least experienced rosters in the country, but weirdly, it’s also one of the most talented collections of pure potential State College has seen in decades. With eight freshmen on a 13-man scholarship list, the "rebuild" label isn't just a suggestion; it's the entire identity.
The Kayden Mingo factor and the injury bug
If you haven't heard the name Kayden Mingo yet, you haven't been paying attention. He’s basically the crown jewel of this class—the highest-ranked recruit in the history of the program. A consensus top-40 guy out of Long Island Lutheran who chose Happy Valley over some serious blue bloods.
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But here is the kicker: as of mid-January 2026, the roster is a bit of a medical ward. Mingo is currently sidelined with a broken nose, and the team’s second-leading scorer, Freddie Dilione V, just went down with a nasty ankle sprain during the UCLA game. When you’re relying on freshmen to carry the load, losing your two primary ball-handlers is a nightmare scenario.
Breaking down the Penn State basketball roster: The 2025-26 rotation
The team is currently led by Mike Rhoades in his third season. He’s been preaching "grit" and "effort," which sounds like typical coach-speak until you see these kids play. They’re scrappy, even if they occasionally forget where they’re supposed to be on a backside rotation.
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The Backcourt: High ceiling, low floor
- Kayden Mingo (Fr. | 6'3"): The engine. Before the nose injury, he was leading the team in almost every major stat. He’s got that "it" factor where the game just slows down for him.
- Freddie Dilione V (RS Jr. | 6'5"): A Tennessee transfer who finally found his rhythm before the ankle injury. He’s the veteran presence in a room full of teenagers.
- Dominick Stewart (So. | 6'5"): He’s had to step up big time with the injuries. He dropped 16 points against UCLA and is starting to look like a legitimate Big Ten scoring threat.
- Melih Tunca (Fr. | 6'5"): A Turkish standout who was the "Young Player of the Regular Season" in the Turkish Super League. He’s a savvy passer, though he’s still adjusting to the physicality of American college ball.
- Eli Rice (RS So. | 6'8"): A Nebraska transfer who provides much-needed length. He can be streaky, but when he's on, he’s a matchup nightmare at the guard/forward hybrid spot.
The Frontcourt: International flavor
- Josh Reed (Sr. | 6'8"): The lone senior. He’s a Cincinnati transfer who does the dirty work—rebounding, setting screens, and yelling at the freshmen when they miss an assignment.
- Ivan Jurić (Fr. | 7'0"): A massive presence from Croatia. He’s still raw, but you can’t teach seven feet. He’s shown flashes of a decent post game, though he struggles with foul trouble.
- Saša Ciani (Jr. | 6'10"): A Slovenian transfer from UIC/Xavier. He’s been the primary glass-cleaner, averaging nearly 8 rebounds a game earlier in the season.
- Justin Houser (Fr. | 7'0"): A local kid from Camp Hill. He’s mostly a developmental piece right now, but having two seven-footers on the roster is a luxury Penn State hasn't always had.
- Tibor Mirtič (Fr. | 6'9"): Another Slovenian who was playing meaningful minutes before a knee injury sent him to the rehab room.
What most people get wrong about this team
The common narrative is that Penn State is "in the basement" of the Big Ten. And yeah, the 0-6 conference start looks ugly on paper. But look closer. They’ve been in almost every game until the final four minutes.
The "little stuff," as Rhoades calls it, is what’s killing them. It’s the missed box-out or the panicked turnover in the clutch. You expect that with eight freshmen. The real story isn't the losing streak; it's the fact that they are competitive despite the injuries. Most teams would fold losing their top two scorers, but guys like Dominick Stewart and Josh Reed have kept them within striking distance of teams like UCLA and Michigan.
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The international pipeline is real
One thing that’s super interesting about this specific Penn State basketball roster is how much Rhoades is leaning into international recruiting. Between Tunca (Turkey), Jurić (Croatia), Ciani (Slovenia), and Mirtič (Slovenia), Happy Valley is becoming a mini-United Nations.
This isn't an accident. Rhoades and his staff—including Jamal Brunt and Talor Battle—are clearly looking for high-IQ players who have played against professionals overseas. These kids might lack "Big Ten muscle," but they understand the game at a level most American high schoolers don't.
Actionable insights for the rest of the season
If you're following this team, don't just check the final score. Here is what actually matters for the future of the program:
- Watch the turnover margin: When Tunca and Stewart are the primary ball-handlers, can they keep the turnovers under 12 per game? If they can, the Lions have a chance to steal some home wins.
- Monitor the health of Kayden Mingo: The timeline for his return from the broken nose is "rapid," but they shouldn't rush him. This year is about 2027, not just 2026.
- Backside rebounding: This is the team's Achilles' heel. Watch if Mason Blackwood or Josh Reed can shore up the defensive glass. If they keep giving up offensive rebounds, they won't win a single game in the Big Ten.
- Freshman wall: Usually, freshmen hit a wall in February. Rhoades needs to manage the minutes of guys like Tunca and Jurić so they don't burn out before the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis.
This season might be a "stepping stone" year, but the foundation being built right now is legitimate. The talent is there; the experience just hasn't caught up yet.