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Penn State Inks Highest-Rated Recruiting Class in Program History

Mike Rhoades, Penn State Basketball
Mike Rhoades before Penn State's 86-64 win over Virginia Tech. Photo via Penn State Athletics

Head coach Mike Rhoades continues to make history for Penn State, bringing in the highest-rated recruiting class in program history.

According to 247Sports, Penn State inked the 19th-ranked recruiting class by the early signing period in November.

On Nov. 1, top 50 player Kayden Mingo became the highest-ranked commitment in Penn State history. He was the third commitment for the class of 2029 and joined fellow four-star Mason Blackwood and three-star Justin Houser.

Mingo is from Glen Head, N.Y., and plays for nationally-ranked Long Island Lutheran. The combo guard competed in the Nike EYBL Scholastic league with Long Island Lutheran and put up 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. He spent his final AAU season with the PSA Cardinals in the Nike EYBL Circuit. During Peach Jam, Mingo averaged 15.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists.

Blackwood is a 6-foot-7 forward hailing from Rochester, N.Y. He is the No. 105 recruit and No. 27 small forward, per 247Sports. He spent two seasons at Aquinas Institute of Rochester before transferring to New Hampton Prep School. During his junior season, Blackwood averaged 14.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.6 steals per game. He played with the Albany City Rocks in the Nike EYBL, averaging 12.6 points, a team-best 6.4 rebounds and shot 45.5 percent from three.

Houser is a 7-foot center from Malvern, Pa. The three-star big man is ranked as the No. 8 player in Pennsylvania. He led Phelps School to runner-up status in the state championships after averaging 13 points and nine rebounds during his junior campaign. He played his AAU ball with WeR1, averaging 7.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks.

Penn State is currently 4-0 in the year after defeating Virginia Tech on Friday night. The Nittany Lions will return to the Bryce Jordan Center on Wednesday to take on Purdue Fort Wayne.

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