Penn State’s roster comes with plenty of moving parts this season, and Roko Prkačin is one of the more intriguing ones in the mix. The Croatian forward arrives as part of a group built around returners, transfers and international swings, a setup that gives the Nittany Lions a roster with some upside but also plenty of uncertainty.
Prkačin doesn’t come with a recruiting ranking, which is the reality for international players who develop outside the usual U.S. pipeline. Even so, he drew NBA attention before choosing Penn State, landing on several draft boards as a possible second-round pick.
His track record overseas gives a clearer picture of what he brings. Across six seasons in three different teams and countries, Prkačin posted averages of 7.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1 assist per game. He’s produced similar numbers with the Croatian national team, where he has made 26 senior appearances.
For Penn State, the expectation is that Prkačin steps in as the starter at power forward. That role could make him a key part of the frontcourt setup alongside fellow Croat Ivan Juric.
He should also be involved in the pick-and-roll as a finisher around the basket, and he can work in isolation on the block when the perimeter opens things up. If Prkačin and Juric can both establish themselves inside, Penn State’s offense has a chance to look more varied.
One more detail that stands out: Prkačin became the youngest captain ever for Croatian club team KK Cibona, wearing that title at 17 years and 10 months old.
In Other News...
Penn States Coaching Search Just Got Even Harder To Ignore
Kalani Sitake was one of the names that made the most sense in Penn States early search after James Franklin was fired, and the reporting around him only made that feel more real. He reportedly was close to taking the job, with a handshake deal in place, before ultimately deciding to stay at BYU after signing a contract extension reportedly worth more than $9 million a year.
For Penn State, that leaves a search that already had plenty of moving parts looking even more complicated in hindsight. Matt Campbell is in his first year leading the Nittany Lions and dealing with the usual pressure that comes with the job, while another candidate, Bob Chesney, is turning heads with success at UCLA, a reminder that the market is shifting while Penn State is still sorting through what comes next. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Star Luke Lilledahl Addressed His First Real Setback
Luke Lilledahls rise has been so fast that even his first real detour carries some weight. After winning the 125-pound NCAA wrestling championship for the 2025-26 season with a 2-1 victory over Marc-Anthony McGowan, the Penn State standout hit a rough patch at the recent U23 freestyle tournament in Las Vegas, where he went 1-2 and did not place.
For a wrestler headed into his junior season, a result like that can sting, but it also gives him something to carry back to Happy Valley. Lilledahl is expected to keep competing at 125 pounds for Penn State, and the hope now is that the setback in Las Vegas becomes fuel for the next stretch of his career rather than a pause in it. [Read more 🡒]
Penn States Roster Makeover Hinges On 5 Newcomers Right Away
Penn States offseason roster work has brought in five newcomers who could shape how the basketball team looks right away. Guards Jay Rodgers and Roberts Blms join forwards Brant Byers, Roko Prkain and Tim Oboh, giving Mike Rhoades a mix of transfer help and international additions as he tries to reset the rotation.
The appeal is in how different those pieces are. Rodgers and Blms offer backcourt options, while Byers, Prkain and Oboh bring size, shooting, playmaking and defense to a group that needs more balance. The challenge now is turning all of that new talent into something functional quickly, because the pressure to improve under Rhoades starts as soon as the roster takes shape. [Read more 🡒]