Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: Analyzing each program’s 2020 recruiting classes

By Trevor Sinodhinos

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - MARCH 08: Members of the Maryland Terrapins celebrate with the trophy after defeating the Michigan Wolverines 83-70 to clinch a share of the Big Ten regular season title at Xfinity Center on March 08, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - MARCH 08: Members of the Maryland Terrapins celebrate with the trophy after defeating the Michigan Wolverines 83-70 to clinch a share of the Big Ten regular season title at Xfinity Center on March 08, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 27: The Penn State Nittany Lions bench (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 27: The Penn State Nittany Lions bench (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Penn State Nittany Lions: No. 12 Big Ten, No. 74 Nation

Dallion Johnson 6’2 / 170 SG:

The three-star guard from Massachusetts loves to get the ball up top after a pass from the point guard. From that position on the court, he is going to do one of two things; 1) dribble through his legs in order to rise up and take a shot from beyond the arc, 2) take two or three power dribbles to get to the basket while exerting a lot of energy to get off an acrobatic shot. There is no question this shooting guard has range, but at 170 pounds, scoring in the Big Ten will not come as easily.

DJ Gordon 6’5 / 170 SG:

The three-star guard from Pennsylvania committed to Penn State over offers from Iowa, Minnesota, and Pittsburgh. During his time at First Love Christian Academy Gordon played bigger than the 170 pounds he is listed at. Defensively is where Gordon stands out the most, being 6’5, long, and active he will provide coach Patrick Chalmers with versatility. Offensively he is always moving and always around loose balls. To get to the basket he will take a couple of hard dribbles, turn his back to the basket and use his body to get to the rim.

Valdir Manuel 6’10 / 225 C:

Born in Angola, played at The Patrick School in New Jersey, then to Harcum College where he averaged over 13 points and 10 rebounds, the three-star JUCO center will continue to develop with Penn State Basketball. He is very dangerous in the post, even though he heavily favors the right side seal off, he still demands a double team. If the help comes in the form of a double down from the guard, Manuel will kick it out to the perimeter. He is much less likely to pass out of a double team once he gets position and begins backing down his defender if the help comes from a big man.

Caleb Dorsey 6’7 / 200 SF:

Another recruit another position filled for the future by Coach Pat Chalmers. Despite the University of Pittsburgh being just over two hours away, Penn State did well with its in-state recruiting. During his playing time at The Hill School, Dorsey demonstrated a distinct preference for attacking the basket on the right side. Being so right-hand dominant, he will be easier to defend in the Big Ten, but his effort is never lacking and Dorsey will grow into an effective rebounder at the small forward position.

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