Penn State men’s basketball Roko Prkačin has been declared eligible for the 2026-27 season, the team announced Friday.

The 23-year-old Croatian native transferred to Penn State after playing professionally in France and for the Croatian national team. Before joining the Nittany Lions, he played for Nanterre 92, where he averaged 6.2 points and 4.7 rebounds.

.@Roko_Prkacin CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YA’LL AT THE BJC ON MONDAY

Roko has been cleared by NCAA ahead of our home opener on Monday!#WeAre pic.twitter.com/d8Rovqkzuz

— Penn State Men’s Basketball (@PennStateMBB) October 30, 2026

Before becoming eligible, head coach Mike Rhoades was aware of the situation but respected the NCAA’s process.

“We’re just honoring the process of the eligibility office at the NCAA, and that’s the best business answer I could give you,” Rhoades said. “There’s a process to it all, and part of the process is they may come back with other questions, or you have to clarify something a little deeper and stuff like that.”

The 6-foot-8 forward was aiming to be a key role player in Penn State’s new roster.

After being outperformed in rebounding, shooting, and blocking, Prkačin was brought in to give the Nittany Lions an edge in the paint. Rhoades has mentioned numerous times that the team lacked physicality and toughness, and a player like Prkačin could give Penn State an upper hand against Big Ten opponents.

Despite the ongoing issues, the team remained optimistic they’d have a full roster.

“Do I think he’ll be eligible? Yeah, I’m very hopeful,” Rhoades said. “I hope so, but you know, I’m not in control of that. So we’re just going to honor the process as best as we can.”

Now that Prkačin is eligible, Penn State’s full team is ready for its season opener.

Prkačin will join the rest of his team against Canisius at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, November 2, at the Bryce Jordan Center.

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