Final Penn State '23 commitment announces new destination
The final unresolved piece of Penn State basketball’s Class of 2023 made formal his departure from the program on Wednesday. Though a formality, well understood by the Nittany Lion staff for weeks, the announcement via Instagram and Twitter has Logan Imes joining his former Nittany Lion classmates at Notre Dame. He goes with Carey Booth and Braeden Shrewsberry in following Micah Shrewsberry to South Bend, Ind.
Despite an initial report that Imes was “still open to Penn State once new staff in place if there is interest,” the Nittany Lions weren’t seriously considered following the coaching change from Shrewsberry to Mike Rhoades. Imes asked for a release just one day after Booth, making the call on March 28.
Imes was the Nittany Lions’ first commitment of the Class of 2023 cycle in November 2022. The point guard was evaluated a four-star by ESPN and a three-star prospect by On3, 247 and Rivals. He finished the cycle with an On3 Consensus rank of No. 212, but acknowledged upon his commitment his belief in the coaching acumen of Shrewsberry and what he’d been implementing for the Penn State program.
“They’ve got a great recruiting class coming in before me,” Imes told BWI. “I just feel like the way they run stuff — Coach Shrews is a great coach. He knows what he’s talking about, he’s been at all levels. Same with the other coaches.
“These dudes, they came to Penn State to build a winning culture. So I know they’re going to do what it takes to do that. I’m believing in them and I believe in my abilities to help them do that.”
Penn State next steps
With Imes’ decision official, Penn State continues to work toward building a roster for the 2023-24 season.
Tuesday night, that effort earned another boost as the ninth scholarship piece committed. Leo O’Boyle of Lafayette, a fifth-year transfer looking to play a bonus season, picked Penn State following an official visit.
He’s joined by VCU transfers Ace Baldwin, the reigning A10 Player of the Year, and teammate Nick Kern. Additionally, Penn State picked up transfers from Temple shooter Zach Hicks, North Carolina forward Puff Johnson, and Georgetown center Qudus Wahab in April.
Along with three rising sophomores returning in Jameel Brown, Kanye Clary and Demetrius Lilly, Penn State stands at nine scholarship spots filled (out of 13) for next season.
