A player from a Big Ten school who just entered the transfer portal is visiting Penn State.
Per Dushawn London of 247Sports, Braden Pierce, a 7-footer who was with Maryland during its Sweet 16 run this past season, is visiting Penn State this weekend after Villanova.
Heโs also โin the process of setting a visit to DePaul.โ
The connection to Villanova is obvious. Pierceโs coach at Maryland, Kevin Willard, recently left for Villanova, so it would be logical for Pierce to want to join his old coach.
But it would make sense for Penn State, too.
After all, the programโs 7-foot center from last season, Yanic Konan-Niederhauser, recently declared for the NBA Draft, although he did say heโd stay at Penn State if he changes his mind.
Penn State Basketball: Yanic Konan Niederhauser Declares for Draft, Keeps Eligibility
MORE ABOUT PIERCE
Hereโs some more information on Braden Pierce.
This is his first time entering the transfer portalโ which is, for better or worse, an important distinction these days. His true freshman season of 2023-24 was one in which he redshirted.
This past season was supposed to be Pierceโs chance to show what he could do at the college level.
Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending injury the week of Thanksgiving, so his year only amounted to five games.
Coming out of Floridaโs famous IMG Academy, Pierce was a three-star recruit who also received interest from schools such as Missouri, Vanderbilt, Pitt, NC State and Rutgers.
PENN STATE MIGHT NEED HIM
As referenced earlier, Penn State might be in need of a starting center in the transfer portal.
If Niederhauser has indeed played his last college game, PSU will have to replace size (7-feet, 250 pounds) and production (12.9 points, 6.3 rebounds).
Pierce hasnโt had a chance to prove much at the college level but his presence wouldnโt hurt.
