The Digital Collegian - Published independently by students at Penn State
SPORTS
[ Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2003 ]

Despite struggles, Dunn still recruiting
The men's basketball coach spent Sunday watching Penn State recruit Ben Luber play an AAU game in Philadelphia.

Collegian Staff Writer

There are no off days right now for Jerry Dunn.

Even when the Penn State men's basketball team has an off day, Dunn is still fulfilling his duties on the recruiting trail.

Dunn signed two players in the early signing period in November, but has been out on the recruiting trail looking primarily for another perimeter player. On Sunday he went to an AAU game in the Philadelphia area to watch Ben Luber, one of the Nittany Lions' two early signees, though he is not allowed to speak with Luber as this is an evaluation period.

Luber, a true point guard from Council Rock H.S., signed along with forward John Kelly back in November.

Dunn said that neither player has expressed any disappointment with the program's current situation.

"They have continued to wear their Penn State gear," he said.

Dunn expects Luber to have an immediate impact next season, as he will be one of the two point guards on the team along with current freshman Brandon Cameron.

In his junior season, Luber averaged 25 points per game and was listed by Prepstar as one of the Top 50 in the junior class.

Kelly is a 6-foot-10, 240-pound forward from West Milford, N.J.

He averaged 17 points per game at DePaul Catholic H.S. as a junior.

Dunn is unsure of how he fits into the lineup for next season.

However, he likes Kelly's ability to play in the post.

"He plays well with his back to the basket," Dunn said.

"He understands how to play the game.


PHOTO: Lauren A. Little
With his team in the midst of a seven-game losing streak, head coach Jerry Dunn continues to work on recruiting in the hopes of turning things around in '04.

"He's a good player and can hit the occasional elbow jumper."

Dunn expects to sign at least one more player in late signing period in April.

Struggling big man

It has not been easy for the 7-footer from Germany this season. Against Big Ten foes, Jan Jagla is scoring only 6.1 points and grabbing 5.1 rebounds per game.

His shooting has been anything but stellar as he has shot 2-for-33 from downtown and 36.5 percent from the field. He can't put a finger on the exact reasons for his struggles.

"I don't have the confidence in my game right now," he said. "I don't know why, it's frustrating. I'm just not shooting like in the past."

Jagla took responsibility for the closing moments of the Minnesota game, when he missed three three-point attempts and a 12-foot jumper in the closing seconds.

"I was very disappointed in the way I played," Jagla said. "I don't think of it. My play right now is not where it should or could be."

Dunn not going anywhere

There have been loud cries from the crowd and signs that express it. Some have even worn paper bags on their heads to express their disapproval for Dunn, but he came to Penn State to do a job.

Dunn said he has no intentions now or in the near future of stepping away from the program.

"I was given a job to do here," Dunn said.

"I owe it to the university and to our players to stay."

 



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