Within 16 seconds of entering Monday's game against NJIT, Cammeron Woodyard picked up his first career assist on a Danny Morrissey 3-pointer.

Turning back on defense, Woodyard promptly picked up his first career rebound on a missed jump shot by Justin Garris.

Woodyard's overall statistics might not stand out yet, but the freshman guard has quickly found himself in the Penn State men's basketball's rotation at shooting guard.

"He's grasped things, plays hard, he's made an effort to rebound," Penn State assistant coach Kurt Kanaskie said. "He really plays under control offensively, never really rushes things and has a good feel for what we're trying to do."

Woodyard came to Penn State rated a two-star recruit by Scout.com, and he helped lead Winters Mill High School in Westminster, Md., to a state title last season.

He played nine minutes in the season-opening win against William & Mary last Friday before seeing his playing time increase to 16 minutes against NJIT.

"I felt like I would probably get more minutes early in the season being that it's non-conference season and everything," Woodyard said. "But I wasn't expecting this much. I think it's a reflection of how I've worked in practice and how I've come a long way."

At 6-foot-5, Woodyard brings size to the guard position -- which the speedy starting duo of Talor Battle and Stanley Pringle lack.

While Woodyard said his biggest focus has been improving his defense, both he and Kanaskie mentioned ongoing work on conditioning, including strength, speed and endurance.

But his effort has helped him work his way into playing time.

"He's improving defensively and he's still got a ways to go just to learn the speed of the game, learn our defensive concepts," Morrissey said. "He plays hard and tries to limit his mistakes. Pretty much it just comes down to playing hard, and he does that. So he's earned some minutes."

Woodyard's ability is also beginning to show on the offensive side. After taking just one shot and making it against William & Mary, he went 2 for 3 from 3-point range against NJIT, including a shot that capped Penn State's 17-0 run in the second half.

"He makes open shots. He's pretty comfortable with the basketball," Penn State head coach Ed DeChellis said. "We're just trying to get him more aggressive with the ball as well as try and drive the gaps more against their zone, trying to get him more aggressive."