Penn State basketball commit Kayden Mingo earns high distinction
Midway through Penn State’s 2024-25 season, Class of 2025 four-star commitment Kayden Mingo traveled to the Bryce Jordan Center to take in a game. On site for the Nittany Lions’ 80-72 win over Rutgers on Jan. 20, the experience was one for which head coach Mike Rhoades wanted to offer some perspective.
As tempting as it could be to look ahead to the uniform and potential ahead in college, Mingo was in the midst of his senior season at Long Island Lutheran. With the opportunity, Rhoades pushed his No. 38-ranked player to see it through with purpose.
“Our staff and myself, we talk to them all the time. I probably talk to Kayden almost every day, phone calls or texts. And the Mingo family watches all our games. It’s great,” said Rhoades. “The main thing I talked to them about now is, You’re not here yet, and that’s okay. Be where your feet are. Be where you’re at right now. Help your team win. Have a great senior year. Leave a legacy there.
“I always tell our recruits, for the guys that sign with us, is make sure they’re talking about you after you leave there, about doing things the right way. Ending it the right way. Having a great senior year. What type of teammate are you? What type of worker are you? Are you appreciative? I remind those guys about that stuff all the time.”
Thursday, Mingo showed that the message took hold. Announced via social media, the highest-ranked committed recruit in Penn State basketball history added a new distinction to his resume as the Gatorade Player of the Year for New York.
Kayden Mingo excels in senior year
In his fourth and final season at Long Island Lutheran, Mingo produced an outstanding campaign with 13.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.9 steals over 27 games. For the effort he was a second team All-Nike EYBL Scholastic League pick ahead.
“Kayden is one of the most efficient players we have played against over the last number of years,” said Dan Feeney, head coach of Chaminade High School, via Gatorade press release. “He plays both guard positions, rebounds the ball at a very high level for a guard and scores at all three levels. When needed, he would lead their team in scoring and also assisted in playmaking responsibilities.”
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Mingo’s season came to a close earlier this month when Link Academy out of Missouri topped his Long Island Lutheran team in the Nike EYBL Scholastic title game, 74-71. Mingo scored 22 in the game on 8-of-14 shooting from the floor.
Mingo headlines Penn State recruiting class
The most prominent of Penn State’s three commitments in the Class of 2025 cycle, Mingo is joined by three-star forward Mason Blackwood and three-star center Justin Houser.
Though the Nittany Lions hold the No. 37 overall team ranking in the On3 Industry Team Ranking for the cycle, network analyst Jamie Shaw included the program among his six “under-the-radar recruiting classes” from the early signing period.
“Kayden Mingo is a player you can put the ball in his hands and he can go make something happen,” wrote Shaw. “He has a fearless sense to him. Hauser is a 6-11 developmental big with some length, mobility, and shooting touch. Blackwood is a strong and high-motor forward who has no issue doing the tough guy stuff on the court.”
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