Update: 5:15 p.m.
Our sister site, Pittsburgh Sports Now, caught up with DJ Gordon today, and he discussed why he’s transferring from Penn State.
His reasoning doesn’t come as much surprise. But Gordon did use one key word when talking about former PSU coach Patrick Chambers, who was forced to resign in late October.
Note how Gordon twice referred to Chambers being “fired.” That’s probably how most or all of the Penn State players saw things go down, even if the official designation used was resigned.
Here is what Gordon said in the story:
“A big reason was Coach Chambers getting fired,” Gordon told Pittsburgh Sports Now when asked why he entered the portal. “He was a big reason for me committing, him and his staff did a really good job of staying in touch, they were real caring guys. It’s all about building relationships. When Coach Chambers got fired, I feel like our program took a big toll going down hill. With the new staff, I met with them a couple times, but I just don’t think this will be the best program for me.”
“In a new school, I am looking for a school that is willing to give me a chance to play my game, my style of play, let me bring my energy to the team,” Gordon added. “Also, I want to get into a winning program. I want to win. This year, we didn’t win. When I was being recruited by Penn State, they were winning. I just want to win. Winning gets you more exposure, not just for me, but for the other guys around me too.”
PSN also reported that Gordon has heard from Georgia, Monmouth, Robert Morris and Western Kentucky since entering the transfer portal.
Penn State had another basketball player enter the transfer portal today — bringing the total to eight at one point or another this offseason — as freshman guard DJ Gordon is entering the portal. A source confirmed that news to Nittany Sports Now after StockRisers.com tweeted it out late this morning.
Gordon then confirmed it himself in a tweet.
I will be entering the transfer portal, Thank You Penn State #ShootaOut✌🏽
— DJ Gordon (@Shooter_Deej14) April 29, 2021
Penn State freshman DJ Gordon has entered the transfer portal, a source told @Stockrisers. Appeared in six games this season for the Nittany Lions and is a former Top-100 recruit with tons of upside.
— Jake (@jakeweingarten) April 29, 2021
Gordon (6-5, 175), a 3-star recruit from First Love Christian Academy in Washington, Pa., appeared in six games and scored three points in 19 minutes for the Nittany Lions this past season.
This is what he did prior to arriving at PSU, from his bio page:
BEFORE PENN STATE
Played for coach Khayree Wilson at First Love Christian Academy…Averaged 17 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals per game as a junior…Upped his scoring average to 22 points per contest as a senior…Collected eight rebounds a game…Scored 22 points and pulled down eight rebounds in the ARS Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest…Named “Newcomer of the Year” following his first season with Knights…Started high school career at Obama Academy…Was a 2018 all-city league selection with a 22.0 points per game scoring average…Named MVP of TD Sports Tournament as a sophomore.
Gordon had offers from Iowa, Arizona State, Cincinnati and Dayton coming out of high school and was the No. 11 player in Pennsylvania, according to 247Sports.
These are the eight Penn State players who have entered the portal so far, and where they have wound up:
**Myreon Jones (Florida)
**Jamari Wheeler (Ohio State)
**Izaiah Brockington (undecided)
**John Harrar (stayed at PSU)
**Seth Lundy (stayed at PSU)
**Trent Buttrick (UMass)
**Patrick Kelly (Fordham)
**DJ Gordon (undecided)
Penn State also has landed a couple of commitments from the transfer portal in guards Jaheam Cornwall (Gardner-Webb) and Jalen Pickett (Siena).
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