Penn State's basketball roster is a mix of some experienced returners, but a lot of transfers and international risks. It is a huge gamble for a team not necessarily expected to contend in the Big Ten this season but also an experiment that could come together in a unique way. Today, we take a look at one of Penn State's integral transfer additions in sharpshooter Brant Byers.
Preseason Player Profile
- Hometown: Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
- Height: 6-8
- Weight: 200
- Class in 2026-27: Redshirt Junior
Recruiting Rankings
Brant Byers was considered a 3-star recruit in the Class of 2023 and was only ranked the 290th prospect in the class. However, when he entered the transfer portal, he was seen as an elite perimeter weapon and was given a 4-star portal rating of 91.
Career Stats
After redshirting his freshman year at Miami(Ohio), Byers made an impression as one of the best shooters in the entire country.
While he only averaged 8.7 points per game in his freshman season, he shot an impressive 41.2 percent from beyond the arc. In his sophomore season, he saw a massive uptick in his scoring average, going from 8.7 to 14.2, with a slight decline in his 3-point shooting percentage to 39.2.
Projected role in 2026-27
Brant Byers is expected to immediately slot in as a highly versatile "3" or "4" that can provide an elite shooting threat with size and length that could frustrate some Big Ten squads. The Nittany Lions struggled last year to find a true perimeter threat and as a result, struggled to produce beyond the arc. Byers is the immediate solution to that problem simply due to his height and release point. He is the perfect counterbalance to the threat of Penn State's low post options as well.
Random fact
Brant Byers turned into an elite pool player during his time at Ohio, taking inspiration from the similarities between a pool table and a basketball court.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Penn State men's basketball player profile: Brant Byers, F
