Penn State lands On3 Class of '24 four-star center pledge
Penn State basketball is set to begin its 2023-24 season on Monday night when it hosts Delaware State. Before the action, though, the Nittany Lions picked up a big win off the floor.
Announcing his decision on YouTube, Class of 2024 center Miles Goodman has verbally committed to Penn State. He selected the Nittany Lions over his other finalist, Washington.
“The coaches showed a lot of love and support. They were working the most to recruit me. I just loved everything about them recruiting me,” Goodman said of his finalists to 247. “I’ll be going to college next year at Penn State University.”
Listed at 6-foot-10, Goodman has been a riser in the Class of 2024 through his high school career. Originally from Seattle, Wash., he is entering his senior season at Southern California Academy as one of the nation’s top prospects. That includes four-star status from the On3 Industry Rankings, with a national ranking of No. 106 overall. He is also classified as the No. 18-ranked power forward in the class.
“On the visit, it was more like being a friend. He was really cool. Really easy to get to know,” Goodman said of his relationship with Rhoades. “All the players and stuff, I liked what I saw in practice and I could see myself going there.”
Penn State basketball’s Class of 2024 recruiting efforts
The news is a boost for Penn State as it winds down its Class of 2024 efforts. His commitment marks the third of the Nittany Lions’ class under the direction of new head coach Mike Rhoades. Goodman is likely the final commitment before the early signing period on Wednesday, Nov. 8.
“Definitely my motor. Making smart decisions. And playing harder, just in general.”
He is joined by two commitments landed earlier this offseason. The first was Jahvin Carter, a three-star point guard out of Alcoa, Tenn. The second came from Dominick Stewart, a three-star shooting guard from Southern California Academy, earlier this fall.
A teammate of Goodman’s, the Nittany Lions had a particularly strong advocate for the program in their corner.
2023-24 campaign kicks off
The day has been a busy one for the Penn State basketball program. Along with its opener on Monday evening and Goodman’s commitment, the program also welcomed the naming of former Bucknell head coach Pat Flannery as its new general manager for its NIL operations.
Falling under the umbrella of Happy Valley United, the new basketball-specific arm is called More To Give and will be directed by Flannery.
A former head coach and friend of Rhoades, Flannery intends to help Rhoades wherever possible both on and off the court.
“It really comes down to one thing, my relationship with Coach Rhoades and our friendship,” said Flannery. “He’s got an exciting time at Penn State. Things have changed in the college world and it’s an opportunity to be able to help Michael. But also, help these kids, help the program, and help Penn State at large.
“What an unbelievable opportunity for a Pennsylvania kid. And to have that relationship with their head coach, nobody cares more for and a deeper relationship. So when I was asked to consider this… each week it got a little further. There’s a couple of really good recruiters that were involved in this. And I was on the other end of it. So here I am, I’m very, very excited.”
