Penn State Men’s Basketball Forward Justin Houser Enters Transfer Portal

Michigan center Aday Mara (15) shoots the ball over Penn State forward Justin Houser (21) and Penn State guard Kayden Mingo in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)

By

Joel Haas

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April 9, 2026 – 6:22 pm

Penn State Basketball, Penn State Sports

The portal woes continue for Penn State men’s basketball.

According to a report by 247Sports’ Dushawn London on Thursday afternoon, Nittany Lion forward Justin Houser is entering the transfer portal, becoming the seventh Penn State player to do so. As a true freshman, Houser saw minimal playing time, averaging 6.2 minutes across 18 games. He posted 1.4 points, 1.1 rebounds and 0.4 blocks per contest.

Penn State big man Justin Houser is entering the transfer portal per his agent Ken Jackson of Sky Limit Sports pic.twitter.com/G5Nb4b7VW6
— Dushawn London (@DushawnLondon1) April 9, 2026

The seven-footer joins guards Kayden Mingo, Dominick Stewart, Freddie Dilione V, Eli Rice and Melih Tunca and forward Mason Blackwood as transfer departures. With senior forward Josh Reed graduating this offseason, the Nittany Lions will require a hefty portal haul and/or some late class of 2026 signings.

With the loss of Houser, a former three-star recruit from Pennsylvania, Penn State has just five players expected to return from last year’s squad, plus three newcomers. Center Ivan Jurić is the only player to officially confirm his return.