UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Peter and Ann Tombros Endowed Head Coach Mike Rhoades has announced the signing of veteran guard Jay Rodgers ahead of the 2026-27 Penn State men’s basketball season. Rodgers, who spent the last four seasons at Central Connecticut State, comes to Happy Valley for his final year of eligibility.
Jay Rodgers
6-3 | Guard | Pickerington, Ohio | Central Connecticut State
- Veteran playmaker who spent last four seasons at Central Connecticut State. Coming off a senior season in 2025-26 in which he averaged 11.0 points per game and 6.9 assists per contest, a mark that ranked eighth-best in Division I.
- Earned second-team All-NEC honors and became just the second player in CCSU history to distribute more than 200 assists in a single-season. Started 28 of 30 games in 2025-26 while shooting 36.2 percent from 3-point range.
- Missed 2024-25 season and majority of 2023-24 season due to injury. Averaged 5.2 points per game through nine games in 2023-24 before suffering season-ending injury.
- Averaged 9.1 points and 2.3 assists per game while ranking in the top 15 in the NEC in assists per game and 3-point field goal percentage during 2022-23 season. Earned six NEC Prime Performer honors during first season at CCSU.
- Prior to his time at CCSU, Rodgers attended Cochise College after transferring from the University of New Orleans. He earned NJCAA Region I honorable mention All-America honors in 2022, helping the Apaches to a 29-4 record and posting 17.8 points per game, 2.3 rebounds per game and 3.2 assists per game. He shot 47.2 percent from the field and 40.1 percent from 3-point range, earning first-team All-Arizona Community College Athletic Conference honors.