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7-Foot Big Man Makes College Basketball Decision on Tuesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rodney Knuppel | Last updated May 6, 2025 2:57 PM ET

Mike Rhoades is heading into his third season as head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions. After making the NCAA Tournament three times in six years at VCU, Rhoades is still chasing his first appearance with the Lions.

So far, his record in Happy Valley stands at 32-32. The Big Ten has proven to be a tough test, with Penn State going just 15-25 in conference play over the past two seasons.

Determined to turn things around, Rhoades and his staff are working nonstop to build a more competitive roster for the 2025-26 season after a disappointing 6-14 showing in the Big Ten last year.

On Tuesday, the Nittany Lions got a much-needed boost.

Jonathan Givony of ESPN and DraftExpress broke the news that Croatian 7-footer Ivan Juric has committed to Penn State. The announcement was confirmed by Juric’s agent, Misko Raznatovic.

"NEWS: Croatian 7-footer Ivan Juric has committed to Penn State, agent Misko Raznatovic told ESPN."

NEWS: Croatian 7-footer Ivan Juric has committed to Penn State, agent Misko Raznatovic told ESPN.

Juric posted 14.4 points, 5.9 rebounds in 25 minutes per game at the FIBA U18 Eurobasket last summer, going 7/14 for 3 in 7 games. pic.twitter.com/yaKlKPjTW1
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 6, 2025

Juric’s commitment is a major addition to Penn State’s frontcourt. The 7-foot center averaged 14.4 points and 5.9 rebounds during the FIBA U18 EuroBasket Tournament and played high school basketball at Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas.

This marks another international signing for Rhoades, who has shown a growing focus on global recruiting.

Over the past two years, Penn State added Bragi Gudmundsson from Iceland and Hudson Ward from Canada. When talking to 247 Sports about Juric and his international travel, Rhoades had this to say:

"Yeah, we're recruiting all over the world," Rhoades said of international recruiting earlier this offseason. "I think the landscape of college athletics and college athletic recruiting, you have to be open to everything — high school kids, the portal and, of course, international. We've recruited international before. I have guys on our staff that have done it and have had made those many trips all over the world to do that."

Juric is the second addition of the offseason for the Nittany Lions. Earlier, they landed Josh Reed through the transfer portal from Cincinnati. Both players join a 2025 recruiting class that already includes Kayden Mingo, Mason Blackwood and Justin Houser.

With these additions, Penn State is clearly working to reshape its roster and return to postseason relevance.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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