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Penn State notebook | Mike Rhoades describes Kayden Mingo as leader, gives praise to Ivan Jurić

The Big Ten is hosting its media day on Thursday, and Mike Rhoades provided some insight into Penn State.

Rhoades highlighted a pair of freshmen while outlining a key defensive strategy that the Nittany Lions will still use in 2025-26.

Here’s more on what Rhoades had to say.

Kayden Mingo is the leader

Penn State’s freshman class is headlined by the program’s highest-rated recruit of all time, guard Kayden Mingo. Rhoades had praise for him at media day, saying he is the team’s leader on the floor.

“Very talented for an 18-now-19-year-old, beyond his years with maturity, a high-character kid,” Rhoades said via Big Ten Network.