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The End

I am retiring from my decades-long avocation of operating PennStateHoops.com and will soon begin the process of turning over the domain name to Penn State Athletics.

This site will cease to be.

I made this decision before Patrick Chambers’ resignation, but had been unable to execute on it for various personal reasons. But now seems like a good time to end it.

Penn State Nittany Lion Basketball Recruiting Digest
Circa 1998

In 1997 or 1998, when this site was emerging from the primordial ooze hydrothermal vent of the Prodigy online network, there was virtually nowhere outside of central Pennsylvania to obtain information about Penn State’s  basketball program.

With the onslaught of often free and always inexpensive newspaper web sites, the growing internet presence of of traditional specialty media (Blue White Illustrated) and new players (247, and bloggers like RoarLionsRoar.com), and most importantly (and felicitously), the fabulous Big Ten Network, there is no real requirement for this site, and there hasn’t been for some time.

Despite some tremendous Penn State basketball on the floor the past few seasons, I have found operating the site has not been the mostly joyous pursuit that it was for the first 10 years or so. 

I don’t believe any problems here have gotten worse – we have been a self-regulating bunch for the most part, a case study in communities setting and enforcing their own culture. I’ve just run out of gas. 

Years ago, I stopped doing music reviews for newspapers because the responsibility of reviewing the shows eliminated the pure joy of attending a concert. 

Penn State Hoops Portal
Circa 1999

I left sportswriting for the same reason.

Similarly, the joy in following the basketball team has always been in watching the games. 

I’m going to go back to focusing on that. I’ve always believed that the pinnacle of our shared experience as college basketball fans is when our team enters the last few minutes of a game with a chance to win. The rest is details.

For what it’s worth, I endorse the crew over at RoarLionsRoar.com, and if they end up hosting a similar community, I would happily join in there, as tiresomely if not tirelessly as I have here over the years.

Circa 1999, finally pennstatehoops.com

Thanks to all who contributed over the year to help defray expenses.

Regards,

Tim Beidel / tjb

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Welcome, Elijah Hutchins-Everett

Penn State received a commitment from Elijah Hutchins-Everett, a 6-10, 225-pound center from Orange, N.J., who plays for Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut. He’s a member of the high school class of 2021.

https://twitter.com/ElijahHEverett8/status/1292877089788637184?s=19
https://twitter.com/Coach_Chambers/status/1292877779395018753?s=20

247’s Mark Brennan:

Lions247:
Penn State basketball lands center Elijah Hutchins-Everett
The Nittany Lions are getting some much-needed size in the New Jersey native who is playing his final two high school seasons in Connecticut.

Rivals’ Corey Evans:

BlueWhiteIllustrated:
BlueWhiteIllustrated – Penn State goes big with Elijah Hutchins-Everett
Three-star center Elijah Hutchins-Everett commits to Penn State.

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Welcome, Houston Mallette

Houston Mallette, a 6-5 combo guard from Newport Beach, CA, has committed to Penn State. He’s in the high school class of 2021.

https://twitter.com/mallettehouston/status/1261420528541159425?s=21
https://twitter.com/mallettehouston/status/1261421133275906048?s=21
https://twitter.com/coach_chambers/status/1261422042278178816?s=21

Here’s what 247 said about him just today:

Mallette has excellent size for a guard and in a game that increasingly values shooting, the three-star prospect does that as well as most players on the west in 2021.

While Mallette came up as more of a shoot-first combo guard, he really hangs his hat on his ability to knock down jumpers off the bounce and may end up as more of a two that can play some one.

Mallette has good size and length so if he ends up more of an off-ball shooting specialist in college, there won’t be a huge transition for him.

Still, Mallette has the ball skills and vision to create for teammates as well.

Mallette’s size and length also give him upside as a versatile defender, especially as he gains strength.

Here’s BWI’s video:

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Welcome, TaQuan Woodley

TaQuan Woodley, a 6-7 forward from Camden, NJ, has committed to Penn State. He’s a member of the high school class of 2021.

Discuss the commitment on the forum.

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Welcome, Sam Sessoms

Philadelphia guard Sam Sessoms, who played two years at Binghamton, has committed to Penn State. A transfer student, he has two years of eligibility remaining.

Sam Sessoms Commits to Pat Chambers and the Nittany Lions!

Delgreco Wilson of The Black Cager:

Desirous of an opportunity to compete at the highest level, Sessoms has decided to join a Nittany Lion club that was ranked in the top 25 most of the last season. He will redshirt a year have seasons of eligibility remaining.

When asked why he chose Penn State over Rutgers, Wichita State, Marquette, Clemson and 50 other suitors, Sessoms said “It’s a great school, degree from Penn State will be huge for a boy from the Bottom section of West Philly. And, the Penn State alumni family is huge, I look forward to becoming a part of the network. As far as basketball is concerned, I think it’s a nice fit. I can see myself growing as a player and person under Coach Chambers and the coaching staff. Most importantly after basketball, a degree from Penn state would be good for me for the rest of my life.” 

One of the most entertaining and competitive players in college basketball, Sessoms will provide Chambers with yet another Philly guard with a chip on his shoulder. Expectations will be high and Sessoms will exceed them.

Welcome home to the City 7 Sam Sessoms!

BWI: Nittany Lions Add Dynamic Scoring Point Guard, Sam Sessoms, Via Transfer

247: PSU hoops adds high-scoring PG Sessoms from transfer portal

Penn Live: America East scoring champ Sam Sessoms, Philly-bred PG, announces transfer from Binghamton to Penn State

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Welcome, Sonny Johnson Jr.

Penn State gets an early commitment from 2022 PG Sonny Johnson Jr. of Garfield Heights, OH.

Johnson’s a 5-10 PG said to have an offer from Michigan State and interest from Wisconsin.

Discuss it on the forum.

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Penn State is a consensus Top 25 team

Ten games into its 2019-20 season, the Nittany Lion basketball team is ranked in the top 25 by every major poll and advanced analytics service.

More important, Penn State was ranked No. 18 in the NCAA’s initial NET rankings, which the NCAA tournament selection committee uses on Selection Sunday to help determine bids and seedings.

ServiceRank
AP (Writers)23
USA Today (Coaches)24
NCAA Net18
KenPom.com24
ESPN BPI25
Sagarin17

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Welcome, Valdir Manuel

Valdir Manuel, a 6-10 big man and a top 50 junior college prospect at Harcum College in Bryn Mawr, has committed to the Nittany Lions.

https://twitter.com/valdir_ngule/status/1187374815931490306
https://twitter.com/Coach_Chambers/status/1187376202169888770?s=20

Some highlights in a tape from 2018:

Roar Lions Roar:
3-Star JuCo Center Valdir Manuel Commits to Penn State
The big man is headed to Happy Valley.

Discuss it on the forum.

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Welcome, DJ Gordon

Penn State gets a really important commitment from DJ Gordon, a long SG with a rep as a tenacious defender.

https://twitter.com/shooter_deej14/status/1182059025212547072?s=21

https://twitter.com/coach_chambers/status/1182059681403064325?s=21
D.J. Gordon commits to Penn State

“D.J. is one of the toughest players I’ve been around,” Team Final director Aaron Burt said. “He was injured all spring and summer and never complained. He competed like he was fighting for minutes every day. 

“He’s super athletic, competitive and coachable. He has all the tools to be an elite defender and an explosive scorer. His toughness and passion is second to none.”

-ZagsBlog