Penn State's basketball program is about to see a shake-up as Melih Tunca, one of their standout international players, is set to enter the transfer portal. This news comes from Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress, who confirmed the move through Tunca's agent, Tolga Beritan.
Standing at 6'5", the Turkish freshman guard showed promise early in the season with the Nittany Lions. Tunca started off strong, averaging 7.8 points and 2.3 assists over 23 minutes per game. His performance was particularly impressive during the nonconference schedule, where he hit double figures in scoring nine times, including a standout 20-point game against La Salle on November 15.
Despite his offensive contributions, Tunca faced challenges on the defensive side, which led to a reduction in his playing time during the Big Ten schedule. As the season progressed, he transitioned from a starter to a rotational player, managing to score in double figures four times in conference play.
Over the course of the season, Tunca made 31 appearances and started in 12 games, maintaining averages of 7.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, while shooting 44.9% from the field.
Before joining Penn State, Tunca played for Turk Telekom in the Turkish Basketball Super League, Turkey's top professional league. There, he was recognized as the Young Player of the Regular Season, with averages of 6.7 points, 2.2 assists, and 1.1 rebounds per game.
As Tunca explores new opportunities, his departure marks a significant moment for both him and the Penn State program, potentially opening new doors for his basketball journey.