Nittany Lion is top returning rebounder and second leading scorer in Big Ten
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., Oct. 11, 2006 – Penn State junior forward Geary Claxton (West Haven, Conn.) has been named a pre-season first-team All-Big Ten selection by Lindy’s and CBS SportsLine.com and a second-team pick by SportingNews and Athlon in the pre-season college basketball magazines that hit newsstands in the last week.
Claxton, who is the top rebounder (7.5 rpg) and second leading scorer (15.2 ppg) among Big Ten returners, was also recognized as one of three ‘Players on the Rise’ by SportingNews and the Big Ten’s ‘Most Underrated Player’ by Athlon, which called him “an electrifying scorer whose willingness to crash the boards exemplifies the unselfish attitude (Ed) DeChellis has strived to instill.”
Sophomore forward Jamelle Cornley (Columbus, Ohio), the 2006 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, was named a second-team All-Big Ten pick by CBS SportsLine.com and a third-team pick by Athlon. Cornley led All-Big Ten freshmen in scoring (11.4 ppg) and rebounding (5.7 rpg) last season.
The SportingNews called Penn State “one of the leagues deepest and most experienced teams,” while Lindy’s said “a breakout season could be in store.” CBS SportsLine.com commented, “Coach Ed DeChellis has the tools to put up a serious fight in the Big Ten.”
Penn State, which returns four starters and 10 lettermen, will play home exhibition games against Edinboro (Nov. 1) and Shippensburg (Nov. 6) before opening coach DeChellis’ fourth campaign on Friday, Nov. 10 in the Bryce Jordan Center against Morehead State. The Nittany Lions are coming off their best campaign in five years having posted a 15-15 record and hosted an opening round NIT game last season. Claxton was a 2006 first team USBWA All-District I and third team All-Big Ten selection. Senior point-guard Ben Luber (7.5 ppg/4.4 apg), senior guard David Jackson (6.7 ppg/3.2 rpg), and Cornley (11.4 ppg/5.7 rpg) are also returning starters. The Nittany Lions return 80 percent or more of their scoring, rebounding, assists, blocks and steals from last year’s team.
All Penn State basketball games can be heard live on the Penn State Sports Network and GoPSUsports.com. For information on Nittany Lion basketball tickets visit GoPSUsports.com.