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UNIVERSITY PARK -- Penn State men's basketball coach Mike Rhoades announced the addition of Nebraska transfer Eli Rice to the Nittany Lion program on Friday.
Rice, a 6-foot-8 guard, comes to Penn State with three seasons of eligibility remaining.
He appeared in 17 games during his freshman season at Nebraska before missing the Huskers' final 13 contests of the year with an injury. He averaged 4.2 points and 1.6 rebounds per game while shooting 41.3 percent from the field, 37.0 percent from 3-point range and 71.9 percent from the free throw line.
A top-200 prospect in his class, Rice played a prep year at IMG Academy in 2022-23 where he helped the school to a 24-3 record. He averaged 19 points, seven rebounds and two assists per game there while shooting 35 percent from 3-point range and nearly 80 percent from the foul line.
"I have known Eli and his game for quite some time. He is a great fit for our style of play," Rhoades said. "His versatility will impact our team from day one."
Pitt gets it Dunn
PITTSBURGH -- Pitt's roster for the 2024-25 season continues to take shape with the recent signing of Damian Dunn.
The 6-foot-5 guard spent last season at Houston after beginning his collegiate career at Temple.
"Damian is an experienced guard with the ability to really score," Pitt coach Jeff Capel said. "He is highly competitive with a big frame to get to his spots on offense as well as guard multiple positions on the other end of the floor. We targeted him early in the transfer process and are excited to have him join our program."
Dunn has totaled 1,288 points, 373 rebounds, and 191 assists in 109 career games. He scored in double figures in each of his final three seasons at Temple before playing last season at Houston.
There he averaged 6.4 points and 2.3 rebounds in 17.5 minutes per game in helping the Cougars to a 32-5 record, Big 12 regular season title, No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and Sweet Sixteen appearance.
Dunn led the Owls in scoring (14.9 ppg) and free throw percentage (.834), while ranking third in steals (25) and rebounding (4.2 rpg) in 2021-22.
Lady Lions add center
UNIVERSITY PARK -- The Penn State women's team landed redshirt-sophomore center Gracie Merkle, a transfer from Bellarmine University.
The 6-foot-6 center from Kentucky led the nation in field goal percentage just a season ago as a freshman in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
She medically redshirted her sophomore season, but will make her return to the court with the Lady Lions this fall.
"Her dominance in the post is unparalleled; she is a force that anchors the paint with precision and power," PSU coach Carolyn Keiger said.
In her freshman year, Merkle led the team in seven major statistical categories, including scoring (15.1) and rebounding (11.0). She also led her conference in rebounding, field goal percentage and double-doubles (19).
UConn frosh declares
STORRS, Conn. -- UConn freshman Stephon Castle has entered his name into the NBA draft, becoming the fifth Husky starter to at least explore moving on after Connecticut's latest title run. UConn and coach Dan Hurley confirmed the move Friday on social media after it was first reported by ESPN.
The 6-foot-6 guard averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists in his only season as a Husky, while often drawing the defensive assignment to shut down the opposition's top perimeter player. He was even more impressive during the Final Four, scoring 21 points in UConn's semifinal win over Alabama and putting up 15 points in the win over Purdue in the national championship game.