Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1179560
P enn State continues to build its Class of 2020, having received a verbal commitment on Oct. 9 from D.J. Gordon, a Rivals150 small forward from First Love Academy in Pitts- burgh. Listed at 6-foot-6, 170 pounds, Gordon chose the Nittany Lions over Pitt, Minnesota, Iowa, Virginia Com- monwealth and Providence, among others. Gordon visited Penn State the week- end of Sept. 13 to take in the football game against Pitt. He also recently hosted coach Patrick Chambers for a visit in Pittsburgh. Gordon, who has received a three- star rating from Rivals, described Penn State as "a great place with great peo- ple in a perfect college environment. I will get the academic support that I need and a four-year degree with one of the biggest alumni systems in the country." Gordon told Rivals.com that his rap- port with Chambers was a big factor in his decision. "My relationship with the coach is like no other," he said. "I feel comfortable enough to land in Happy Valley." Rivals.com basketball recruiting an- alyst Corey Evans said the Nittany Lions have added a piece that fits per- fectly into the mold of Penn State's tough identity on both ends of the floor. "I love D.J.'s toughness and energy. He competes consistently and what seems like on each possession, which is rare to find in a high school prospect," Evans said. "He's valued greatest for what he brings on the de- fensive end. He can guard three sepa- rate positions and hold up his end at whichever spot that he's thrown into. "He does have to improve in his shot- making, but he has taken the proper strides. He is best on the attack and is a good athlete all around who can and will impact the game on both ends at the next level. Overall, he is a very solid addition for Pat Chambers' program." Gordon, who averaged more than 10 points per game this past summer on the Nike EYBL circuit, is listed by Ri- vals as the No. 144 prospect nationally and the No. 34 small forward. He joins a class that also includes shooting guard Dallion Johnson of Andover, Mass., and small forward Gabe Dorsey of Pottstown, Pa. –NATE BAUER NEW RECRUIT A three- star prospect, Gordon is the highest-rated player in the Nittany Lions' 2020 recruiting class. Photo courtesy of Rivals.com playing overseas, which we are super proud of. BWI What benefits have you seen from Tim Frazier's NBA longevity? CHAMBERS Nobody thought he would play in the NBA. Nobody. Not any of the alums thought he would play, guys who have played in that league. And what he's done to sustain, to play now going into his sixth year, to get his pension, I couldn't be prouder. A guy who you would say wasn't the best shooter somehow found a way in a happy three- point land NBA, because he tries to win attitude club every day. Any time you talk to him, he's just trying to win atti- tude. First one there, last one to leave. What a great representative of our pro- gram, the way he conducts himself, and how he finds a team every single year, which is fantastic. And I would say the same thing for Josh Reaves. A do-it-all guy, led the Big Ten in steals three straight years. All- Defensive team. I mean, it speaks vol- umes that people want him in their organization. ■ Pittsburgh forward Gordon joins Penn State's class