Kayden Mingo Returns from Injury, Drops 19 in Gritty Performance Against Maryland
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Just two weeks after suffering a broken nose in practice, Penn State freshman guard Kayden Mingo was back on the floor - and back in the starting lineup - for Sunday’s matchup against Maryland. Listed as “questionable” before tip-off, Mingo not only suited up but played like he never left, finishing with 19 points, five assists, three rebounds, and a steal in a 96-73 loss to the Terrapins.
Sporting a protective face mask, Mingo looked comfortable early and wasted no time getting into rhythm. He drilled a corner three to open the scoring for the Nittany Lions and poured in seven quick points on perfect shooting through the first five minutes. While Maryland pulled away late in the first half, Mingo’s presence gave Penn State a spark - especially during a second-half stretch when the Nittany Lions briefly cut the deficit to 10.
“I felt comfortable,” Mingo said after the game. “It was an adjustment at first in practice and stuff, but now I feel good with it.”
Mingo’s return comes after a brief but eventful absence. He appeared fully healthy during a Jan. 5 press conference, but later that day suffered a broken nose during practice.
The injury kept him out of the Jan. 6 game against Michigan - he wasn’t even on the bench - and he remained sidelined for matchups against Purdue and UCLA. Head coach Mike Rhoades confirmed after the Purdue game that Mingo had undergone surgery, which “went well,” and the freshman was seen back on the sideline for the UCLA contest.
Despite the setback, Mingo never expected to be out long.
“I didn't think it would be too long,” he said. “I know I'm around a lot of great people who can help me and get me back fast, so I didn't stress on it too much. I just wished my teammates good luck as they went into the next couple games.”
That mindset showed in his performance. While Penn State struggled to contain Maryland’s offense - the Terrapins led 56-26 at the break - Mingo’s energy and aggressiveness helped fuel a brief second-half run. He played downhill, pushed the tempo, and kept the Nittany Lions engaged.
“I thought his timing was off a little bit at times, but he battled, especially in the second half when we made that run,” Rhoades said. “He really got downhill, was pushing the ball, got us into stuff.
Our trainer did a great job with him, helping him get back. Doctors did a great job to get him back.
He was out for a while, but he's a hard rock - he’s a tough kid.”
Tough is right. Mingo’s stat line - 58.3% shooting from the field and 40% from deep - wasn’t just efficient, it was a reminder of what he brings to this Penn State team. Through 15 appearances this season, he’s averaging 15.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.4 steals per game, and even after the layoff, he looked like the same dynamic two-way guard who’s quickly become a key piece in the Nittany Lions’ rotation.
He credited the training staff, especially athletic trainer Justin Pomar, for his quick return.
“Justin had a good plan in place,” Mingo said. “We took it day by day, and every day was a step closer to getting back in the process. Give all thanks to Justin and everybody who helped me.”
There’s no moral victory in a 23-point loss, but for Penn State, seeing Mingo back on the court - and back to form - is a win in itself. If Sunday was any indication, the freshman’s resilience and readiness could be a major factor in how the rest of the season unfolds.