The first task for new head coach Mike Rhoades is to field a roster for the 2023-2024 season. With the entire 2023 recruiting class asking for their NLI releases and a number of players entering the transfer portal, the current roster is barren.
He got a big victory when Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, [autotag]Ace Baldwin[/autotag], decided to follow him from VCU and come to Penn State.
Now, Rhoades has his sights set on reuniting with another one of his former players in State College.
Jalen Deloach is one of the top targets for Rhoades and his staff. After entering the transfer portal, he quickly cut his list of top schools down to six on April 4th saying his announcement would be coming soon.
Originally, Deloach was scheduled to visit Indiana this weekend, but has pushed back his visit due to head coach Mike Woodson’s knee surgery.
He will now be visiting Penn State this weekend instead.
Can confirm that VCU forward Jalen DeLoach will be at Penn State for an official visit this weekend.
DeLoach averaged 9.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game in 2022-23. He is one of Penn State’s top-remaining transfer portal targets.https://t.co/pInI5NTm2p pic.twitter.com/MfJ3CbrAJF
— Tyler Calvaruso (@tyler_calvaruso) April 12, 2023
Deloach is a 6’9″ power forward who averaged 9.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game in 24.5 minutes of playing time. He started every game but two last season.
Originally a three-star recruit, Deloach is a versatile and athletic big man who would be thrust into a major role immediately at Penn State. Considering his familiarity with Rhoades and the systems that he’ll run, this would be an ideal landing spot for both parties.
Other schools on his list include Florida State, San Diego State, Miami, Indiana, and VCU. He is planning to visit Indiana even after his visit to Penn State this weekend. Deloach also met with Florida State in early April.
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