Since the transfer portal opened on Tuesday, April 7, seven Penn State basketball players  have decided to test the market.

It was first Melih Tunca. Then Freddie Dilione V., Mason Blackwood, Eli Rice, Kayden Mingo, Dominick Stewart, and finally Justin Houser.

More than 2,900 players, nationwide, have already entered the portal. This represents close to 2/3 of all Division 1 men’s players.

Also, keep in mind that just because a player enters the portal doesn’t mean they will definitely go to another team. He may just be testing the market for their value. Players and their agents can’t talk to other teams unless they’re in the portal.

The existing Nittany Lions from 2025-26 are Ivan Juric, Tibor Mirtic, Reggie Grodin, Sasa Ciani and Chris Lotito.

The following players have already signed to be in Penn State for the 2026-2027 season: Jamison White, Francois Wibaut and Roko Prkacin.

Grant Spacciapolli has verbally committed to Penn State.

So as of now, assuming no more Penn State players enter the portal— which closes April 21– there is a senior, four sophomores and four freshmen on next year’s roster. Two of the freshmen, Wibaut and Prkacin, are 21 and 23 years-old, respectively, coming from overseas.

With at least 2,900 players in the market to evaluate, general manager Scott Pera, roster consultant Calvin Booth, head coach Mike Rhoades and his staff need to hit a home run to bring in some experienced, highly-talented players.

After all, the big knock against last year’s team was how young and inexperienced they were.

15 players is the max for a NCAA, Division 1 men’s basketball team. Right now there would be nine players on the roster.

The only reported players the Nittany Lions have been in contact with are Dallis Dillard (IUP), Jay Rodgers (Central Connecticut) and Daniel Freitag (Buffalo).

Dillard is a 6′-3″ redshirt senior guard who averaged 20.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.5 steals per game for the Crimson Hawks this past season.

Rodgers is a 6′-3″ senior guard who registered 11.0 points, 6.9 assists and 2.2 rebounds per game for the Blue Devils.

Freitag is a 6′-2″ sophomore guard who averaged 19.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game for the Bulls this past year.

The Penn State men’s basketball program have their work cut out for it this offseason, not to mention also needing to fill two assistant coaching positions as well.

It is the new reality of college sports.