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July 14, 2016
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Former Penn State men's basketball players Brandon Taylor and Donovon Jack have each inked professional deals to play overseas next season. Taylor recently signed with Greek squad PAOK, located in Thessaloniki, while Jack officially joined Great Britain's Leicester City Riders Thursday.
"I am proud of Brandon and Donovon as they begin professional careers overseas," Patrick Chambers, Penn State head coach, said. "They both were great ambassadors for our program over the last four years. This is a testament to their work ethic, dedication and relentless pursuit of their dreams."
Taylor wrapped up his senior season with All-Big Ten honors after closing the regular season ranked in the Top 10 of the league in field goals (183; 3rd), double-doubles (8; 5th), total points (506; 6th), points per game (16.3; 8th) and rebounds per game (6.5; 10th).
He owns the No. 16 spot on Penn State career scoring chart with 1,289 over his four-year career after tallying 520 in 2015-16. With eight double-doubles on the year, Taylor had most since Geary Claxton posted nine in 2007-08 and was one of just six players in the Big Ten to have eight or more during the regular season.
"I'm excited to be signed with a great basketball club and I'm just very grateful for the opportunity to play professionally in a great country," Taylor told his new club. "I thought it was a great opportunity from the beginning, while my agent and family are the ones who helped me make my decision."
Taylor has already begun taking "intense" history lessons, both for PAOK and Thessaloniki, admitting: "I don't know a lot of things. I'm trying to learn more before I get there."
Jack averaged 9.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game over the last seven games of his senior season, ranking third on the team in scoring during the stretch. He had career night vs. Iowa Feb. 17, producing career-high 19 points on 8-9 shooting from field and 3-4 from free-throw line. Jack finished his career ranked sixth all-time on Penn State's career blocks chart with 100.
"The opportunity to join a team with a long tradition and who are the reigning BBL Champions is a dream come true," Jack said.
"Donovon has impressed me with the variety in his game," Rob Paternostro, head coach of the Riders, said. "He has played at a high level at college in the U.S., and he brings an inside and an outside game. Donovon can also block shots, and is comfortable handling the ball. I think he will be able to handle the transfer to the BBL and the demands that places on his overall contribution."
Two other Nittany Lions are set to play professionally overseas next season in Jeff Brooks and Sasa Borovnjak, while Talor Battle and Jamelle Cornley are currently recovering from injuries and are not currently on rosters.
| Current | Pro | |||
| Player | Lettered | Country | Team (League) | Seasons |
| Sasa Borovnjak | 2009, 11-12 | Portugal | FC Porto Ferpinta (Portuguese LPB) | 3 |
| Jeff Brooks | 2008-11 | Spain | Unicaja (Liga ACB) | 5 |