Penn State men’s basketball fortified the highest-ranked class in program history with two recent signees, including a 7-foot forward from Croatia. Nittany Lions coach Mike Rhoades recently made the signings official, rounding a Penn State recruiting class that ranks 23rd nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Here’s a look at Penn State basketball’s newest signees.
Ivan Juric
A 7-foot forward from Croatia, Juric played last season at Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas. Juric averaged 14 points and 9.8 rebounds in his season at Sunrise Christian, where he shot 51 percent from the field and 43 percent from 3-point range, a handy number for a 7-footer.
Juric played for Croatia in the 2024 FIBA U18 Eurobasket tournament, averaging 14.4 points and 5.9 rebounds in seven games. He shot 50 percent from 3-point range in the tournament. After the Eurobasket event, Juric moved to Kansas to play for Sunrise Christian, where he became a 3-star prospect and the nation’s 20th-ranked center, according to On3.
Juric played professionally in the Croatian Premier League, averaging 5.7 points and 2.4 rebounds for BC Dubrava during the 2023-24 season. Rhoades capitalized on staff contacts in international basketball to recruit Juric to Penn State.
“Ivan is a versatile big man who we really wanted in our program,” Rhoades said in a statement. “He has impressive size, strength and skill and a desire to get better. He has played against great competition at home and here in the states, and we are really excited to get him here on campus.”
Reggie Grodin
Grodin, a 6-5 guard from Larchmont, N.Y., played last season at the Newman School in Massachusetts. Grodin helped lead Newman to a 32-8 record and a New England Prep School AA title last season. He averaged 12 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 68 percent from the field and 41 percent from 3-point range.
Grodin scored 1,375 career points in high school, playing two seasons at Greenwich Country Day School in Connecticut. Groden also played for the New York Lightning in the Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL).
“Reggie brings winning basketball with him and a versatility we need on both ends of the floor,” Rhoades said in a statement. “His ability to make shots, make winning plays and defend at a high level are what we want in our program. I’m excited to watch Reggie work in our program.”
Grodin and Juric join a Penn State recruiting class that features Kayden Mingo, the Gatorade New York player of the year. Mingo, a 6-2 guard, is a 4-star prospect, according to the 247Sports Composite, and a top-35 player nationally.
The Nittany Lions went 14-15 in its second season under Rhoades, who seeks to lead a Big Ten rebound. Penn State went 6-14 in the conference schedule, losing 11 of 12 games during one stretch. Penn State capped the season with an upset win at Wisconsin.
Funding available to activate Youth Week events on Redlands Coast – Redland Bayside News
NOT-FOR-PROFIT organisations are being encouraged to apply for funding to deliver free or low-cost events on Redlands Coast as part of Queensland Youth Week 2026. Redland City Mayor Jos Mitchell said funding was available through Council’s Activate Redlands Coast Youth Week Program for events and …
As on most evenings, the Henrico Sports and Events Center echoed Dec. 1 with the sounds of youth sports: running feet, basketballs drumming on floors, and shouts of triumph or dismay as volleyballs were slammed home.
But on one basketball court, the clamor of squeaking sneakers and balls thudding against backboards was just distant background noise. In this arena, dozens of fifth-grade students were showing off their history projects – while educating their parents and teachers about significant Henrico events, places and persons.
At one display, students stood beside a screen highlighting photos and facts about the Henrico Theatre. The old-fashioned spelling of “theater,” they explained, is still used because that was the custom when the Theatre opened in 1938. A few years later, when World War II broke out, the site was even designated as a bomb shelter.
Today, the restored movie house is used for a variety of arts programming, films, community events and celebrations, and is distinguished not only by listings on national and state historic registers, but by its designation as the only example of art deco architecture in the county.
At another station, Quintus Tian and Corbyn Constanzer of Shady Grove E.S. had constructed a Henrico map large enough to cover a tabletop, and were eager to explain the sites of historical interest sketched throughout the county. Asked why they had created a traditional map – using paper instead of a digital display, as many of their peers had done – the boys were emphatic.
“Too small!” said one, pointing out the hand-drawn illustrations that bordered the map, and indicating that the expanse of paper was superior to a screen for depicting scale and enhancing impact.
Henrico Schools Superintendent Amy Cashwell presents a ribbon and gift bag to a winner in the Henrico History Project Dec. 1, 2025. (Patty Kruszewski/Henrico Citizen)
Among other projects on display were several featuring famous figures with Henrico ties, such as Pocahontas, Virginia Randolph, and Arthur Ashe, Jr. Depictions of historic sites ranged from the Theatre and Dabbs House to Echo Lake Park and Richmond International Airport, while displays featuring events centered around such struggles as the Seven Days Battles and Gabriel’s Rebellion.
A few students from each magisterial district took home top honors for their projects (see list below) – but the celebrations were not limited to the big winners. Parents lingered after the awards ceremony taking family photos, while students continued to share stories of how they chose their topics and created their projects.
Corbyn and Quintus were among the students who clearly enjoyed revealing “tricks of the trade” they had used in crafting their project. Asked what modern-day techniques had produced such an authentic-looking map – complete with browned edges and yellow tints to give it the look of a centuries-old relic – they grinned knowingly and announced, “We used shoe polish!”
Henrico History Project award-winners
Formerly known as the Henrico Historical Awareness Project, the Henrico History Project is a partnership of Henrico County Public Schools and the Henrico Preservation Advisory Committee. The following students in each magisterial district took top honors for their projects this year:
Brookland District First place – Emma Salang and Aryaa Adivarekar; Springfield Park E.S. Second place – Luke Baum; Greenwood E.S. Third place – Skye Robbins, Erum Jebran and Sara Faqirzada; Dumbarton E.S.
Fairfield District First place – Jurnee Clarke, Dionne Hawkins and Aziyah Hill; Harvie E.S. Second place – Samara Giles and Kaylan Huynh; Longdale E.S. Third place – Avery Umbarger, Ruben Caballero, & Monroe Redding; Chamberlayne E.S.
Three Chopt District First place – Luke Jualayba; Colonial Trail E.S. Second place – Audrey Kim, Brody Miller and Sienna Harter; Kaechele E.S. Third place – Charles Cobb; Rivers Edge
Tuckahoe District First place – Bodie Bluford; Gayton E.S. Second place – Yassine Dahri, Magnus Sorensen and Oliver Hall; Three Chopt E.S. Third place – Kate Groth & Winnie Young; Maybeury E.S.
Varina District First place – Georgina Bueno; Baker E.S. Second place – Kayden Howard and D’Zaria Mines; Highland Springs E.S. Third place – Lauren Crawley; Ward E.S.
CLEMSON, S.C. – Senior Sydney Roberts won the 17th Carolinas Young Amateur Championship on Tuesday with an even-par 142 (69-73) on the two-day event. The tournament was held at the Mid South Club in Southern Pines, N.C.
Roberts was the only player in the 24-player field to finish at par, clearing the second-place finisher by three strokes and her 69 on the first day tied for the low round in the field. She played a bogey-free round on Monday and finished with a pair of birdies, and held on to win over Jillian Fatkin, who plays collegiate golf at Kansas.
The win was Roberts’ second Carolinas Young Amateur title in three years.
Roberts and the Clemson Women’s Golf opens its spring season Feb. 2-4 in Boca Raton, Fla. at the Paradise Invitational.
CHERRYVILLE, N.C. — Dr. Bud Black is retiring after 60 years of coaching basketball, marking the conclusion of a highly influential career at the age of 82.
Known as “Mr. Basketball” since 1961, Dr. Black has dedicated his life to the sport, prioritizing the positive impact he has made on countless players over mere win-loss records.
Dr. Black improved the Gardner-Webb Ladies team’s record from five wins to fifteen wins in just one season, showcasing his exceptional coaching abilities and commitment to developing young athletes.
He is also highly educated, holding two earned doctorates and several master’s degrees, which reflect his pursuit of knowledge and dedication to personal growth.
Reflecting on his coaching philosophy, Dr. Black stated, “I never went into coaching with a burning desire to always win, although I do that.”
He emphasized the importance of seeing his players succeed in life beyond the court, saying, “That’s more important than anything. The wins and losses, to see these young people succeed.”
As he transitions from coaching, Dr. Black will continue his work as a remote instructor at Thomas Edison State University in New Jersey.
He explained his perspective on measurement of success: “Some people count the number of wins, that’s something I have never done.”
In a poignant reflection, one former player credited Dr. Black for his success, stating, “You are single-handedly responsible for my success. You always made sure there was a place for me.”
This sentiment encapsulates the real legacy he leaves behind—his unwavering support for each player he coached.
Dr. Black will be honored during a special ceremony at Cherryville High School’s home game, a fitting tribute to his remarkable career and impact on the community.
He indicated, “I never thought I’d retire,” hinting at his enduring passion for coaching and mentorship.
VIDEO: Former North Meck basketball standout hosts basketball camp in Concord
Former North Meck basketball standout hosts basketball camp in Concord
YOUTH WRESTLING: 5 Baker City athletes compete in Salt Lake City events
Published 6:17 am Tuesday, January 6, 2026
SALT LAKE CITY — Five Baker City wrestlers competed in the Salt Lake Slam tournament on Jan. 3, one of the biggest youth wrestling events in the West with about 1,300 athletes from several states competing in four age groups: 8U, 10U, 12U and middle school.
Baker’s Bruin Bloomer placed first in the 140-pound middle school division.
Cooper Bain was fifth in the middle school 155-pound division.
Riley Johnson was fifth in the 8U, 43-pound division.
Mason Shank competed in the middle school 120-pound division, and Romyn Myer wrestled at 110 pounds in the middle school division.
“All five kids performed at a high level with some of the best wrestling talent in the country,” Baker coach Kyle Johnson said.
In addition to competing in the Salt Lake Slam, the Baker wrestlers entered a dual tournament on Jan. 2, also in Salt Lake City. The annual Christmas Clash Duals had 20 middle school (grades 6-8) and 20 elementary school (grades K-6)teams. Each of the Baker wrestlers had five matches in the event.
Bloomer and Bain were 4-1, Myer was 3-2, Johnson 2-3 and Shank 1-4.
“All the kids got great experience and wrestled extremely well,” Kyle Johnson said.
President’s College coach and PE teacher Willon Cameron, has unveiled plans for a pilot schools circuit league designed to significantly increase game time and exposure for young players. (File photo)
In a move aimed at addressing the long-standing shortage of competitive basketball opportunities at the secondary school level, national coach and physical education teacher at President’s College, Willon Cameron, has unveiled plans for a pilot schools circuit league designed to significantly increase game time and exposure for young players.
Speaking in an invited comment to Stabroek Sports, Cameron said the initiative was born out of growing frustration shared among several coaches over the limited number of matches played annually within the school system. “I always wish we could be playing more games,” Cameron stated candidly. “Playing 10, 15 games a year is nothing. On the girls’ side it is even worse.”
The proposed competition is inspired by the Youth Basketball Guyana Circuit League model, where teams hosted friendly games and covered officiating costs, allowing for regular competition with minimal financial barriers. Cameron believes the concept can be successfully adapted and expanded within the schools’ landscape. “I happened to engage coaches who feel the same way,” he explained. “We simply want to have more basketball games played so that our players can get more exposure, more experience, and develop more composure, competencies and skills.”
