The NCAA transfer portal for the 2025 college basketball season opened on March 24 and will close on April 22. This cycle introduces key adjustments, including a delayed opening—one week later than in 2024—ensuring it no longer overlaps with the NCAA Tournament’s first two rounds. As a result, 75% of teams will be eliminated before players can officially enter.
Penn State concluded the 2024-25 season at 16-15 overall and 6-14 in Big Ten, missing the postseason. Despite a marquee upset over Purdue in December, the Nittany Lions faltered in tight contests and struggled after losing Puff Johnson for the season. The team never regained its rhythm, ultimately finishing with a disappointing record.
Players Exiting Penn State Basketball
Miles Goodman: The 6-foot-11 forward officially entered the transfer portal Monday, becoming the third member of Penn State’s 2024 recruiting class to depart. On3’s Pete Nakos first reported the news. Goodman, a former four-star recruit from Seattle’s Southern California Academy, was ranked among the top 100 prospects nationally.
He played in 13 games before an injury sidelined him for the rest of the season, averaging 1.2 points and 1.4 rebounds. His exit marks a significant loss, as he was the second-highest-ranked recruit in program history. He has three years of eligibility remaining.
Jahvin Carter: Carter was the first Penn State’s 2024 class player to enter the portal. The Alcoa, Tennessee, native committed in the summer of 2023 over offers from Middle Tennessee and Georgia Tech. The three-star guard played in 26 games as a true freshman, logging 8.2 minutes per contest while averaging 2.1 points. Carter was an early commitment under head coach Mike Rhoades and played a limited bench role.
Hudson Ward: Ward joined the portal shortly after Carter. A late addition to the 2024 recruiting class, the three-star forward played in just eight games, averaging 2.5 minutes per outing. Penn State extended an offer to Ward late in the 2023-24 season, leading to his commitment in January 2024.
Players Penn State Basketball Can Target
Izaiah Pasha (Wing, Delaware): Penn State has already contacted Pasha, a Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, native who starred at Cardinal O’Hara High School. The 6-foot-4 guard earned CAA Rookie of the Year honors after averaging 11.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game.
Amarri Monroe (Forward, Quinnipiac): Monroe, a 6-foot-7 forward, would bring immediate defensive impact. He averaged 18.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.3 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game, leading Quinnipiac to the MAAC regular-season title. He attempted 5.8 three-pointers per game but shot only 27.3%.
Ladji Dembele (Forward, Iowa): With Johnson and Zach Hicks gone, Penn State needs a forward with defensive ability and shooting touch. Dembele, a 6-foot-8, 250-pound sophomore, started 21 games for Iowa, posting 4.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in 16.7 minutes per game. He hit 38.2% from three and thrived on putbacks and off-ball movement.
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Javon Jackson (Guard, Illinois-Chicago): With Carter transferring, Penn State needs a backup point guard. Jackson, a senior, averaged 2.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Though he shot just 30.6% from three last season, he hit 37.9% from deep at Utah State the year before.
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