Penn State men’s basketball has begun its rebuild, leaving it impossible to predict the 2026-27 season.

Head coach Mike Rhoades will find just three returning players at the first team meeting; however, the former VCU man did find some success bringing in new players. The Nittany Lions will welcome five players through the transfer portal, four international recruits, and one incoming freshman.

After his breakout-freshman season, Ivan Juric was the only player with a real role who decided to stay in Happy Valley. He averaged 10.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 0.8 assists while shooting 57.7% from the field, but now has to get a whole new rotation.

“I just thought he’s had great growth in the year,” Rhoades said. “He played against some of the best players in the country. Some guys who are gonna get drafted in the first round. And he more than held his own.”

One of the reasons Juric stayed with the Nittany Lions despite watching players like former four-star Dylan Mingo walk out the door was his relationship with Rhoades.

“I think he’s helped me with a lot of things,” Juric said. “And the thing that worked for me the best is watching film with him, because the great player he was, he can tell me from a different perspective, like the way I do some things. I think every aspect I improved on, he’s got a big hand in it.”

Juric also garnered praise from associate head coach Brent Scott, who said the forward has a chance to be a special player in Happy Valley. Rhoades also said he is “so excited” to have the sophomore back for another year.

Regarding the new players, Rhoades believes in the team he has put together.

“We’ll be much different, we’ll have Big Ten size, we’ll be long and athletic throughout, I like our skill level,” Rhoades said at the Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Tournament. “Now we just got to put it together on the court come November. But I do like the pieces we have.”

In terms of size, Rhoades is talking about 6-foot-11 forward Tim Oboh, 6-foot-9 Aleksandar Zecevic, and 6-foot-8 guard and forward Brant Byers.

Byers comes from Miami of Ohio after the RedHawks dominated the MAC and won a play-in game against SMU to make the NCAA Tournament. Miami was 32-2 on the year, getting a huge output from Byers.

“Brant is a proven winner and lights-out perimeter shooter who is an excellent fit at Penn State,” Rhoades said in a signing day press release. “His versatility and well-rounded skillset will make an immediate impact in our program.”

Penn State will also see changes beyond the court next season, recently making four staff title changes. One change promoted Brent Scott, who has followed Rhoades since Rice in 2016, to associate head coach.

“Big B’s loyalty to our program, to the players, to the staff, is second to none,” Rhoades told Nittany Sports Now. “His approach, his coaching, and his leadership, and the way he teaches, it’s high level. The one thing about Big B is he wants to give and give and give, and he doesn’t want an ounce of credit.”

Scott was responsible for recruiting and player development at Penn State until this year and played a key role in developing Penn State’s first-ever first-round draft pick, Yanic Konan Niederhauser. This, Scott told reporters, was a part of the recruiting pitch to former MAC center Oboh, who comes from the same conference as Niederhauser.

In addition to Scott, Penn State elevated Patrick Dorney to chief of staff, Jake Szczecina to director of basketball operations, and Sam Little to assistant/video coordinator.

The Nittany Lions also brought in former Michigan State man Dwayne Stephens as an assistant coach this offseason. Stephen’s brother Jarret played for Penn State in the 1990s. Stephens spent 19 seasons with Tom Izzo at the Spartans.

“I just appreciate the opportunity to be here. Obviously, this is a special place for my brother, and I can understand why,” Stephens said at the Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Tournament. “After being here for a few weeks now, it’s a unique place like nowhere that I’ve ever seen in terms of a true college town, and I can see just the pride that everyone takes in supporting the university and Penn State athletics, and I’m excited to be here.”