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From Mirror reports
UNIVERSITY PARK -- Penn State men's basketball coach Mike Rhoades has inked the highest-ranked recruiting class in program history, and the 19th-ranked class in the country, as three highly-touted prospects signed to join the Nittany Lions during the November early signing period.
Penn State's three-member class ranks 19th in the nation per 247 Sports. The three-member class is comprised of Mason Blackwood (Rochester, N.Y.), Justin Houser (Camp Hill) and Kayden Mingo (Farmingdale, N.Y.). The three new Nittany Lions join the program as the Class of 2029 and bring accomplished athletic and academic pedigrees to Penn State.
Blackwood, a 6-foot-7 forward, is the No. 105 recruit nationally per 247 Sports. Ranked as the No. 27 small forward in the class and the No. 4 player in the state of New Hampshire per 247 Sports.
He averaged 14.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.6 steals per game during junior season at New Hampton Prep while leading the Huskies to the NEPSAC AAA finals, Final Four of the National Prep Championship and a 30-10 overall record.
"Mason is a skilled and versatile wing who will do whatever it takes for his team to win. He thrives playing downhill, is an elite defender and is a strong rebounder from the wing position," Rhoades said.
Houser, a 7-footer who attended The Phelps School, is a three-star forward who is a top-225 recruit nationally per 247 Sports. He is ranked as the No. 8 player in the state of Pennsylvania and No. 16 center in the class per Rivals.
He averaged 13 points and nine rebounds per game during junior season at Phelps School while leading the Lions to state runner-up status in 2023-24 and earning honorable mention All-State honors.
"Justin grew up dreaming of coming to Penn State and we're thrilled to keep him home," Rhoades said. "He is a seven-foot, left-handed, who can score in the paint with his touch around the basket and also stretch the floor with his perimeter shooting ability."
Mingo, a 6-foot-3 guard, is ranked as the No. 39 recruit nationally per Rivals, No. 43 recruit nationally per 247 Sports and No. 44 recruit nationally per ESPN. He is the highest-ranked recruit in Penn State history per 247 Sports rankings.
He had a standout junior season, averaging 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game while shooting 54 percent from the floor, 44 percent from 3-point range and 78 percent from the free throw line.
"Kayden will bring an elite level of talent and competitiveness to the floor, but he is equally as impressive as a young man and student off the floor. Kayden can defend, score, facilitate, and attack to both create for himself and others at an impressive level," Rhoades said.