Analysis: Penn State Basketball's Latest Portal Entrant a Surprise

Penn State basketball’s postseason swirl continued Wednesday, as 6-10 sophomore forward Demetrius Lilley entered the NCAA Transfer Portal. Lilley became the third Nittany Lion to enter the portal, following forward Favour Aire and guard Bragi Gudmundsson. In addition, former Penn State guard Kanye Clary, dismissed from the team in February, entered the portal as well.

Lilley’s decision could leave Penn State without a true center on the current roster, though 4-star recruit Miles Goodman is signed to join the program next season. After playing in just five games as a freshman, Lilley jumped to 20 appearances and 9.3 minutes per game in 2023-24 while dealing with a nagging late-season back injury that required a minor procedure. He did not stuff the stat sheet — 2.8 points and 2.7 rebounds per game — but provided a consistent spark as a rotational big off the bench. 

Lilley fought hard to see the floor, losing 42 pounds from the time Rhoades arrived in April to the beginning of the season, making his decision a bit surprising. Lilley appeared poised, at the very least, to reprise his role as a first option off the bench with a higher ceiling. His work on the pick and roll and rebounding hustle showed major development.

“I said, 'Meech, if you want to get on the court and help us in our style of play, you gotta get in the best shape of your life. Or you're just not going to play. You might, but it's going to be really, really hard,’” Rhoades said after Lilley scored a career-high eight points on Nov. 14 against Saint Francis. “Now it’s time to keep taking the next step.”

Lilley was one of just three scholarship players to stay at Penn State after the NCAA Tournament run under Micah Shrewsberry in 2022-23. Rhoades dismissed Clary from the team midseason, while Jameel Brown remains on the roster. Ahead of this season, Lilley explained that he stayed at Penn State to avoid the “easy way out” in the transfer portal. He also wanted to see what Year 1 with Rhoades would bring following a frustrating freshman campaign.

"My dad always told me not to give up so easy. I wasn't just gonna leave because I didn't play. There's a reason I didn't play, you know what I'm saying?” Lilley said. “Not leaving was like, 'I don't want to give up that easy.' I want to see what I can bring to Penn State, what Penn State has for me, what does Coach Rhoades need out of me to get some playing time.”

Rhoades filled his first Penn State roster with 10 newcomers that made for a whirlwind season. With one starter dismissed, three players in the portal and three others exhausting their eligibility, this offseason could reprise the theme. Penn State has signed three high school prospects, but scholarship slots will be open for Rhoades to use in the transfer portal.