Puff Johnson returning to Penn State for fifth season

Posted March 27, 2024 | Article by Christopher Reynolds | Photo by Abby Kachur

The captain of the Nittany Lions, Puff Johnson, announced on social media that he’ll be returning to the Happy Valley for what will be his fifth season of collegiate basketball.

After missing the start of the season with an injury, Johnson became an impactful role player, averaging 7.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.

Johnson’s minutes on the court were inconsistent from game to game and his role in the starting lineup varied as he started 12 of the 29 games he played in.

In his one season at Penn State after transferring from the University of North Carolina, Johnson improved his scoring, rebounding, three-point shooting and defense.

Johnson found himself in an expanded role with the Nittany Lions and defensively is where he was the most valuable.

The 6-foot-8-inch forward provided a large body on defense, aiding in the paint next to Qudus Wahab and other Penn State big men. His size also helped the rebounding effort, which was a major issue for the majority of the season.

His versatility and ability to stay with small defenders made Johnson a necessity to have on the court at the end of games and he was a good fit next to Ace Baldwin Jr.

In Penn State’s loss to Indiana in the Big Ten Tournament, Johnson had one of his most impressive outings, finishing with 16 points and eight rebounds. At the end of the game, it was Johnson who had the ball in his hands and just missed the final shot at the buzzer that would have won the game.

The Nittany Lions secured one of their core players going into next season, which should give the team more continuity than it had in its first season with head coach Mike Rhoades.

With players returning and coach Rhoades having a second season with his team, Penn State will look to become a stronger contender in the Big Ten Conference, and Johnson will be a crucial piece in doing so.

Christopher Reynolds is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email him at clr5971@psu.edu.