Penn State adds versatile forward to Class of 2024
Asked about his team’s on-ball defense this season on Monday, Penn State head coach Mike Rhoades offered some insight into the realities facing his program. While the Nittany Lions had improved in some areas, he said, other methods would be necessary to continue that trajectory moving forward.
“We’re not to the standard I want us to be. Some guys have improved on it just because we rep it so hard. And some other guys aren’t as good at it, and they get exposed,” Rhoades said. “Through scouting and good coaching and watching lots of games, people know who to attack on each team.
“And so you want to fix that in recruiting, you want to fix that getting in the weight room and getting stronger and more explosive. And then just really repping that to learn how to do that properly with the mechanics and the feel for it. We’re better at it, but not not to the level we need to be to consistently win.”
Wednesday afternoon, the Nittany Lions took another stride toward that end. Announcing his decision via social media, 6-foot-7 forward Hudson Ward of Edmonton, Canada, became the fourth member of Penn State’s Class of 2024. He joins Jahvin Carter, Miles Goodman, and Dominick Stewart. And, importantly, he is considered an asset on both ends of the floor with an ability to defend multiple positions.
The news comes on the heels of a weekend official visit to Penn State for its tilt with Minnesota. Ward also visited Rice, San Diego, and most recently, New Mexico. Other offers on his sheet include Long Beach State University.
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Scouting Hudson Ward
Ward is currently rated three stars by On3. He has the No. 49 overall ranking among small forwards in the Class of 2024. And, he has the No. 1 designation in the Alberta province of Canada. According to On3 National Basketball Recruiting Analyst Jamie Shaw, Ward remains an intriguing prospect for Penn State.
“It’s somewhat difficult to gauge Canadian kids as the level of competition is very low as a whole,” Shaw told BWI. “He struggled at the start of EYBL play, getting used to the role and speed of the game. But he picked it up as the travel season went on. He’s a borderline 150 kid, a good one to bring in.”
Catching up with Ward last winter, Shaw described a prospect taking his time with the process. Gaining traction in recruiting circles over the prior year, Ward’s trajectory included built-up attention thanks to his performance with the Canadian U17 basketball team at the 2022 FIBA World Cup in Spain.
“I’m a two, three type of player,” Ward told On3. “I am bigger, but I can handle it really well, and my shooting has been very consistent this season. I’ve been working hard on my shot, so my three has really developed over the last few months. I’ve been getting more comfortable with my handle, getting downhill, too.”
