Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/604314
MEN'S BASKETBALL atrick Chambers is enthusiastic by nature, but he typically manages to keep one foot on the ground. So when he secured four signed, faxed na- tional letters of intent on Nov. 11 at the start of the early signing period for the Class of 2016, the Nittany Lions' 24h- year head coach held form by mixing ex- citement with tempered optimism. With Nazeer Bostick, Tony Carr, Joe Hampton and Lamar Stevens all slated to join the team next summer, another step toward his vision of the program's future has been taken. "Obviously it's a big day for our pro- gram," Chambers said. "This was a big step for us and it's a testament to my sta3 and what we've been through over the last 2ve years. There have been a ton of obstacles, but yet we continue to plod along – maybe at a snail's pace for some people's liking, especially in this society we have today – but we got over some hurdles with the signing of these four kids, and the signing of the 2015 class, and the guys who we already have here. It bodes very well for our future." Indeed, that future appears as though it will be greatly enhanced by the arrival of Chambers' most recent recruiting classes. The Class of 2015, consisting of Josh Reaves, Mike Watkins and Davis Zemgulis, was ranked No. 31 nationally by Rivals.com, and the Class of 2016 is even more highly regarded, checking in at No. 16 in the team rankings. The Nit- tany Lions are listed alongside some of the nation's most celebrated and historic programs, ranking one spot below UNLV and one spot above North Carolina State. In addition, they are the second-ranked Big Ten school, trailing only Michigan State, which is rated second overall behind Duke. Penn State's class is led by Carr, a four- | FANTASTIC FOUR The Nittany Lions sign what many regard as their best class ever P ALL SMILES Chambers' class was ranked No. 16 by Rivals and No. 2 in the Big Ten behind only Michigan State. Photo by Bill Zimmerman