Penn State basketball just took a tough hit on the recruiting trail - and it’s one that stings a little extra.
Dylan Mingo, one of the most coveted recruits in the 2026 class, announced his commitment to North Carolina live on ESPN’s First Take, shutting the door on what could’ve been a headline-making family reunion in Happy Valley. Instead of joining his brother, Kayden Mingo, a standout freshman at Penn State, Dylan is heading to Chapel Hill.
And make no mistake - this wasn’t a longshot that Penn State was chasing. The Nittany Lions were firmly in the mix.
In fact, Dylan himself admitted they finished second in his recruitment. That’s a tough pill to swallow, especially considering the momentum the program seemed to be building.
At 6-foot-5 with a wingspan that stretches out to 6-foot-10, Dylan Mingo brings elite two-way potential. He’s the kind of guard who can lock you up on one end and then torch you on the other.
That combination of size, skill, and defensive versatility made him a star at Long Island Lutheran High School - a program that’s become a pipeline for high-level talent, including current Sixers standout V.J. Edgecombe.
Back in November, Mingo trimmed his list to four programs: Baylor, Washington, UNC, and Penn State. The Nittany Lions had a compelling pitch - not only would Dylan have the chance to make an immediate impact, but he’d be doing it alongside his brother.
Kayden, a former four-star recruit, is already turning heads in his freshman season and holds the title of the highest-rated recruit in program history. If Dylan had followed suit, he would’ve claimed that title himself.
Instead, Penn State is left wondering what could’ve been - and looking at a 2026 recruiting class that, as of now, includes just one incoming freshman: Jamison White. That’s a stark contrast to the seven new faces they brought in last season.
For a program trying to establish itself as a consistent presence in the Big Ten and beyond, this miss is more than just a recruiting loss - it’s a missed opportunity to build something special around a pair of elite siblings. The future isn't doomed by any means, but Penn State will need to regroup and retool quickly if it wants to keep pace in an increasingly competitive college basketball landscape.