NCAA Basketball: Class of 2022’s No. 2 recruit Jalen Duren release top 11 list

Penn State Nittany Lions

The Nittany Lions significantly underperformed last season and have begun the offseason with a coaching change. Gone are Myreon Jones and Jamari Wheeler, but the program has been fortunate to have retained Izaiah Brockington, Josh Harrar, and Seth Lundy even though they entered the transfer portal.

However, newly hired head coach Micah Shrewsberry has already completed several recruiting wins since taking the job. Notably retaining the aforementioned players from last year’s team, but also gaining the commitment of talented Siena guard Jalen Pickett.

Penn State doesn’t have a lot of momentum heading into next season, but it’s starting to build. The current state of the program is the prime reason the Nittany Lions are on the outside looking in for the commitment of Jalen Duren. However, there’s an aspect to consider that could give the program a shot to land him.

Prior to transferring to Montverde Academy, Duren attended Roman Catholic HS in Philadelphia and the school has become a pipeline for players signing with Penn State. Former stars Tony Carr and Lamar Stevens, as well as current player Seth Lundy, each attended the school prior to joining the Nittany Lions.

The team will need to put forth a better effort on the court in the coming year to make a better impression, but Duren could opt to follow in the “tradition” of his former high school and become the highest-ranked player to sign at the university in program history.