The recent departure of Penn State men’s basketball head coach Micah Shrewsberry and the entrance of five Nittany Lions into the transfer portal left next season’s roster looking thin.

With so many openings, newly-hired head coach Mike Rhoades will need to work hard on the recruiting trail and rely on heavily the transfer portal. Luckily for him, I believe that I have what it takes to be the program’s next best five-star recruit.

Without further ado, here are all the reasons why I should be Penn State hoops’ next great baller.

Stats:

Bio:

I will be heading into my junior year this fall, which leaves me with two years of eligibility remaining. My two potential seasons ahead with the program will give Penn State hoops instant stability for the following years. After all, look at what Jalen Pickett managed to accomplish within just two years as a Nittany Lion.

I know that being a great basketball player means more than just putting points on the scoreboard. Throughout my playing career, I’ve been counted on to contribute in a lot of different areas of the game.

Due to my high motor and fearlessness to jump on loose balls, I have been given the nickname “Hustle Aidan.” I would say that I fit into the “gritty, not pretty” mentality this team runs on.

I know what it feels like to win, as I won countless AAU championships in fourth and fifth grade. My expectations were always to get the biggest trophy at each tournament.

These years established my championship DNA that all of the greats have. Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Aidan Conrad. Legends, am I right?

No matter how important it may be to win, and win with class, you must also lose with class. There’s nothing worse than watching a player talk trash after a win or turn into a sore loser after a defeat.

Move on, it’s not that deep.

It may be more important to know how to handle a big loss. Even in the face of a championship loss, I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.

While people may consider me to be undersized in every position because of my height, my heart is unquestionable. Despite this positionless build, I have some top-end speed to get down the court.

Below, I showcase my blazing speed and reach insane numbers up to 20 miles per hour. That’s explosiveness! Does anyone else see glimpses of Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose?

Yes, I do have skills and not just grit. Some have compared me to the likes of Andrew Funk following a three-point clinic in my summer-league game last year. I hit 10 first-half threes, which set the single-game record.

In summary, my skills draw comparisons to:

• Dennis Rodman: High motor
• Kobe Bryant: Championship mentality
• Jay Wright: Classy fella
• Draymond Green: Positionless
• Derrick Rose: Explosive
• Klay Thompson: Three-point specialist

If you were to look at every NCAA championship team you would find an underdog, outlier, glue guy-type of player that gives their team the extra boost to win it all.

I am truly a jack of all trades, what can I say? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Make the right choice, Coach Rhoades. I’ll be here.