Men’s Basketball Signs Top-20 and Highest-Ranked Recruiting Class in Program HistoryMen’s Basketball Signs Top-20 and Highest-Ranked Recruiting Class in Program History

Men’s Basketball Signs Top-20 and Highest-Ranked Recruiting Class in Program History

Head Coach Mike Rhoades has inked the highest-ranked recruiting class in program history and the 19th-ranked class in the country as three highly-touted prospects signed to join the Nittany Lions during the November early signing period.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Peter and Ann Tombros Endowed Men's Basketball Head Coach Mike Rhoades has inked the highest-ranked recruiting class in program history and the 19th-ranked class in the country as three highly-touted prospects signed to join the Nittany Lions during the November early signing period.
 
Penn State's three-member class ranks 19th in the nation per 247 Sports. The three-member class is comprised of Mason Blackwood (Rochester, N.Y.), Justin Houser (Camp Hill, Pa.) and Kayden Mingo (Farmingdale, N.Y.).  The three new Nittany Lions join the program as the Class of 2029 and bring accomplished athletic and academic pedigrees to Penn State.

MBB 2024 Signing Day Ranking

MASON BLACKWOOD

6-7 Forward | Rochester, N.Y. | New Hampton Prep School (N.H.) | City Rocks EYBL

  • Four-star small forward who is the 105 recruit nationally per 247 Sports. Ranked as the No. 27 small forward in the class and the No. 4 player in the state of New Hampshire per 247 Sports.
  • Played first two seasons of high school at Aquinas Institute of Rochester before transferring to New Hampton Prep School in New Hampshire ahead of junior season.
  • Averaged 14.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.6 steals per game during junior season at New Hampton Prep while leading the Huskies to the NEPSAC AAA finals, Final Four of the National Prep Championship and a 30-10 overall record.
  • Earned second-team NEPSAC AAA and second-team NEBL honors and Lakes Region All-Star recognition following standout junior season at New Hampton Prep.
  • Was the Private-Parochial Division I Player of the Year during sophomore season at Aquinas Institute of Rochester where he led the Li’l Irish to a Class AA Section V championship and Far West Regional appearance. Averaged 17.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game while shooting 49 percent from 3-point range during sophomore campaign.
  • Played AAU with the Albany City Rocks in Nike’s EYBL league. Scored 12.6 points per game to go along with team-best 6.4 rebounds per game, a 49.7 FG% and 45.5 3FG%.
  • Is a high honor roll student, Special Olympics volunteer, member of the Black Affinity group, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Anime Club.

Personal: Son of Marcus and Courtney Blackwood…Has one older brother, Myles, and two younger brothers, Max and Madden…Father, Marcus, played two years of college basketball at Alfred State College.

Mason Blackwood Signing Day 2024

“I chose Penn State because of the coaching staff and how they have been consistently recruiting me as well as talking to my family and treating them with respect and consideration. The basketball program is great, and it’s close to home so my family can come out to games. The community involvement along with the environment was also important to me. I felt as if I could call this place home!”

Mason Blackwood

“Mason is a skilled and versatile wing who will do whatever it takes for his team to win. He thrives playing downhill, is an elite defender and is a strong rebounder from the wing position. He will fit seamlessly into our style of play and will excel just as much off the court in the classroom and community. We’re thrilled to welcome Mason into our Penn State family.”

Mike Rhoades

“Penn State is getting a big-time competitor who will make an instant impact in terms of how hard he plays, rebounding, and versatility on both sides of the floor. He fits Coach Rhoades style of play seamlessly and will continue to blossom under the coaching staff’s watch. Perfect fit.”

New Hampton Prep School Head Coach Andrew Gale

JUSTIN HOUSER

Justin Houser Signing Day 2024

7-0 Forward | Camp Hill, Pa. | Phelps School | WeR1

  • Three-star forward who is a top-225 recruit nationally per 247 Sports. Ranked as the No. 8 player in the state of Pennsylvania and No. 16 center in the class per Rivals.
  • Plays for Phelps School in Malvern, Pa. after spending freshman season at Cedar Cliff High School in hometown of Camp Hill, Pa.
  • Averaged 13 points and nine rebounds per game during junior season at Phelps School while leading the Lions to state runner-up status in 2023-24 and earning honorable mention All-State honors.
  • Named team captain ahead of senior season.
  • Owns high school career marks of 904 points, 350 rebounds, 145 blocked shots, 120 assists and 29 steals through 92 career games.
  • Played AAU for WeR1 on the UAA circuit. Averaged 7.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game during 2024 season while shooting 42 percent from the field, 37 percent from 3-point range and 78 percent from the free throw line.

Personal: Son of Chris and Debbie Houser…Has one older brother, Tyler, who is a junior on the Delaware men’s basketball team…Father, Chris, played basketball at Susquehanna University and mother, Debbie, played volleyball at Loyola Maryland.

“I chose Penn State because it was a perfect fit for me both academically and athletically. It was really important for me to choose a school and a basketball program with a family environment and the culture that’s been created at Penn State is exactly what I was looking for. With me being a Pennsylvania native, it’s been a lifelong dream of mine to play basketball at PSU and the opportunity to continue my education and basketball career there was something that I could not pass up.”

Justin Houser

“Justin grew up dreaming of coming to Penn State and we’re thrilled to keep him home in PA. He is a seven-foot, left-handed Pennsylvania native who can score in the paint with his touch around the basket and also stretch the floor with his perimeter shooting ability. His length and athleticism allow him to block and alter shots at an elite level. His skill set, length, size and athleticism make him a great fit for our style of play.”

Mike Rhoades

“Justin Houser is a big, mobile, seven-footer with his best basketball is still ahead of him. He shoots a high percentage from three and is not unwilling to mix it up in the paint, which is an extremely rare combination. Justin is a tenacious worker, as evidenced by his marked improvement in his high school career and simply one of the best teammates I have ever coached. There is no doubt he will be a Nittany Lion favorite from the moment he steps foot on campus.”

Phelps School Head Coach Trey Morin

KAYDEN MINGO

6-3 Guard | Farmingdale, N.Y. | Long Island Lutheran | PSA Cardinals

  • Four-star guard who is ranked as the 39 recruit nationally per Rivals, No. 43 recruit nationally per 247 Sports and No. 44 recruit nationally per ESPN.
  • The highest-ranked recruit in Penn State history per 247 Sports rankings.
  • Ranks as the 2 player in the state of New York and No. 6 point guard in his class per 247 Sports.
  • Plays for Long Island Lutheran in the EYBL Scholastic league. Had a standout junior season, averaging 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game while shooting 54 percent from the floor, 44 percent from 3-point range and 78 percent from the free throw line. Led the Crusaders to a 22-5 record as a team captain, team MVP and All-State honoree during junior season.
  • Led Long Island Lutheran to the 2023 NYS Class AA Federation championship as a sophomore.
  • Played AAU for PSA Cardinals in Nike’s EYBL league. Named Nike EYBL Defensive MVP by The Circuit following 2024 spring season. Averaged 18.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.3 steals per game while shooting 50 percent from the field and 50 percent from 3-point range during 2024 EYBL season.
  • Named to 2024-25 Naismith Trophy Boy’s High School Player of the Year Watch List.
  • 2024 Pangos All-American Camp and NBPA Top 100 Camp participant.
  • Two-time USA Basketball mini-camp invitee.
  • Honor roll student.

Personal: Son of William and Joan Mingo…Has one older brother, Dalique, who played college basketball at Howard, and one younger brother, Dylan…Father, William, played college football at Delaware State.

Kayden Mingo Signing Day 2024

“I loved the time I spent at Penn State on my visit. It felt like home and like a place I can grow at in different ways.”

Kayden Mingo

“Kayden will bring an elite level of talent and competitiveness to the floor, but he is equally as impressive as a young man and student off the floor. Kayden can defend, score, facilitate, and attack to both create for himself and others at an impressive level. Kayden possesses our type of work ethic and competitive drive, and we can’t wait to get to work with him and welcome him into our Penn State family.”

Mike Rhoades

“Kayden has been a rare four-year varsity team member here at LuHi. His maturity and integrity surpass that of most adults I know. Kayden is ultra-consistent and competes at an elite level every time he steps on the floor. He is well-liked by all of his teammates and is someone that I can trust in all circumstances. Kayden’s high-level shot making ability comes as a result of countless unseen hours in the gym with his father and brothers. Penn State is getting a great player and a special young man.”

Long Island Lutheran Head Coach John Buck