Kanye Clary, Penn State's Leading Scorer, No Longer With the Team

Nittany Lions coach Mike Rhoades said he made a "coach's decision" regarding Clary's future with the program.

Kanye Clary, Penn State men's basketball's leading scorer who did not travel to Nebraska last weekend, is no longer with the program, head coach Mike Rhoades said Monday. Rhoades said he made a "coach's decision" regarding Clary, who ranked seventh in the Big Ten in scoring at 16.7 points per game.

"It came to a point where, as the head coach, I made a decision to move on, and that's where I'll leave it," Rhoades told reporters in State College during his weekly media availability.

Clary, a 5-11 sophomore guard, had been Penn State's top offensive threat through the season's first three months. He jumped out quickly, averaging 19.5 points through the first six games with a season-high 28 against Butler in late November. Clary was averaging 18.8 per game, with 10 outings of 20 or more points, when he sustained an injury against Minnesota on Jan. 27. Clary missed the next two games, both of which Penn State won on the road, and returned (but did not start) against Iowa on Feb. 8.

Over his final three games, during which the Lions went 1-2, Clary did not start, saw his minutes reduce drastically and took far fewer shots. Clary scored a combined 16 points in three games against Iowa, Northwestern and Michigan State. He was a combined 5-for-13 from the field in those games. Clary had taken 13 or more shots in 13 games prior to his injury. Without Clary at Nebraska, Penn State scored a season-low 49 points in a 19-point loss.

"Every decision I make is based on the culture of our program," Rhoades said. "How we dress, what we put up on the walls, everything, every decision. There’s easier ones and there’s really, really difficult ones. That’s my job. But every decision is made on moving the program forward. But sometimes those decisions are delicate and hard, but they’ve got to be made, too."

Clary was one of three scholarship players who returned to Penn State for the 2023-24 season. He was a reserve shooter last season, playing 10.4 minutes per game, but became the alpha scorer for the Nittany Lions this season. D'Marco Dunn, a North Carolina transfer, took over Clary's starting spot the past five games.

"Some guys are going to have to step up," Rhoades said. "Other guys are going to move around to other positions. It will definitely change some things moving forward. Just like [with] injuries, you have to be ready to adapt and change and move."

Rhoades also said that 6-10 forward Demetrius Lilley, who averages 9.8 minutes per game, had a "procedure" last Friday and is day-to-day. Lilley has missed the past three games. 

Penn State (12-14, 6-9 Big Ten) has lost three straight games following a three-game win streak in early February. The Nittany Lions host No. 12 Illinois on Wednesday at Rec Hall.

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