<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1AEdEC_0vlXGvXv00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1AEdEC_0vlXGvXv00" width="1765" height="1174" ><figcaption>Penn State men's basketball head coach Mike Rhoades crosses his arms during a game against Minnesota on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024 at the Bryce-Jordan Center in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions lost to the Golden Gophers 74-83. Joel Haas</figcaption></figure><p>Penn State’s small forward room will welcome a new addition next year.</p><p>Four-star recruit Mason Blackwood announced his commitment to Penn State on Sept. 18, joining Justin Houser in the Nittany Lions’ 2025 class.</p><p>The two-way, 6-foot-7 and 210-pound small forward brings the necessary tools to succeed in coach Mike Rhoades’ system.</p><h2>Drives into the paint</h2><p>Using his large frame, Blackwood isn’t scared to power his way to the paint and cash in a hard-earned bucket.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Blackwood can generate hard-earned buckets by driving the ball into the paint. <a href="https://t.co/R8L79lxLJX">pic.twitter.com/R8L79lxLJX</a></p>— Collegian Basketball (@CollegianHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/CollegianHoops/status/1839377560670756954?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2024</a><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote><p>Receiving a pass at the top of the arc, the New Hampton School product forced his way closer to the basket and banked in a layup while getting fouled in the process.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Once again driving closer to the basket, Blackwood pulls up early and sinks a short-range jumper. <a href="https://t.co/7fINkhbw4M">pic.twitter.com/7fINkhbw4M</a></p>— Collegian Basketball (@CollegianHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/CollegianHoops/status/1839377671970861510?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2024</a><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote><p>Once again finding himself open at the top of the 3-point line, Blackwood received a pass and drove his way into the paint. The New Hampton, New Hampshire, native pulled up early and sank a mid-range jumper.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Despite getting fouled, Blackwood still can cash in short-range shots after driving to the hoop. <a href="https://t.co/mRbm0rhWZm">pic.twitter.com/mRbm0rhWZm</a></p>— Collegian Basketball (@CollegianHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/CollegianHoops/status/1839377756142080350?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2024</a><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote><p>Bringing the ball upcourt, Blackwood made his way toward the basket and cashed in another short-range shot while getting fouled once again.</p><p>Penn State could help Blackwood excel with this skill at the collegiate level by forcing a switch that leads to a mismatch.</p><h2>Three-point range</h2><p>Blackwood has showcased long-range shooting, proving his skill from beyond the arc.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Blackwood can take care of business beyond the arc, too.Even with a defender in his face, Blackwood splashes in a three. <a href="https://t.co/M7mViPvibs">pic.twitter.com/M7mViPvibs</a></p>— Collegian Basketball (@CollegianHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/CollegianHoops/status/1839377837821931671?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2024</a><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote><p>After receiving a pass, Blackwood stepped up and splashed in a three with no hesitation, despite a defender in his face.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Without hesitation, Blackwood hits another 3-pointer in transition. <a href="https://t.co/lfA4VtDXVe">pic.twitter.com/lfA4VtDXVe</a></p>— Collegian Basketball (@CollegianHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/CollegianHoops/status/1839377904184254669?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2024</a><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote><p>Only a few seconds had ticked off the shot clock, but Blackwood found himself open behind the arc and rattled in a 3-pointer.</p><p>The small forward’s AAU coaches appeared to have given him the green light to shoot whenever he had a good look. Blackwood consistently took full advantage, sinking numerous 3s throughout his games.</p><h2>Off-ball movement</h2><p>Without the ball in his hand, Blackwood can work his way open, allowing for easy buckets.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Blackwood shows he can work his way open on offense.Using quick speed, Blackwood lays in an easy two points. <a href="https://t.co/IvUFgFfIch">pic.twitter.com/IvUFgFfIch</a></p>— Collegian Basketball (@CollegianHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/CollegianHoops/status/1839377978045919560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2024</a><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote><p>Freeing himself from his defender, Blackwood cut along the free-throw line, received a pass and laid in a nearly uncontested layup.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cutting in on the baseline, Blackwood records a dunk after an alley-oop from his teammate. <a href="https://t.co/Aq2HCmIgwN">pic.twitter.com/Aq2HCmIgwN</a></p>— Collegian Basketball (@CollegianHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/CollegianHoops/status/1839378057590939839?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2024</a><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote><p>Cutting along the baseline, Blackwood asked for an alley-oop, and his teammate delivered, leading to a highlight-reel dunk.</p><p>Finding the soft spots in zone defense or losing his defender in transition could help Blackwood in games while donning the blue and white.</p><h2>Pick-pocketer</h2><p>Blackwood is more than just an offensive playmaker. Catching ball-handlers off guard, the small forward can reach in cleanly and record a steal.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Blackwood can provide production on the defensive end as well.Snatching the ball, Blackwood gets his team a fast-break opportunity, which he scores on. <a href="https://t.co/T4GXFw4Thz">pic.twitter.com/T4GXFw4Thz</a></p>— Collegian Basketball (@CollegianHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/CollegianHoops/status/1839378123466703203?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2024</a><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote><p>The opposing player began to push his way down, but Blackwood snatched the ball and tallied a dunk on the fast break.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">With help from a teammate, Blackwood steals the ball again, leading to another fast-break opportunity. <a href="https://t.co/rFIDa6KHhF">pic.twitter.com/rFIDa6KHhF</a></p>— Collegian Basketball (@CollegianHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/CollegianHoops/status/1839378162331107499?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2024</a><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote><p>With help from a teammate, Blackwood didn’t let his opponent get past him, stripping the ball to create a fast-break opportunity.</p><p>Being reliable on the defensive end is paramount to Rhoades’ scheme. If Blackwood produces from both ends of the court, he could carve out a solid career as a Nittany Lion.</p><p><b>MORE BASKETBALL CONTENT</b></p></div></body>

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Film Review | 2025 forward Mason Blackwood brings versatility to men’s basketball

Penn State’s small forward room will welcome a new addition next year. Four-star recruit Mason Blackwood announced his commitment to Penn State on Sept. 18, joining Justin Houser in the Nittany Lions’ 2025 class. The two-way, 6-foot-7 and 210-pound small forward brings the necessary tools to succeed in...