Two months ago, the odds of Stanley Pringle joining the Penn State basketball program appeared to be remote. The 6-foot guard from Virginia Beach, Va., by way of Pasco-Hernando Community College in New Port Richey, Fla., signed a letter of intent with Marshall in November.
Also, the Nittany Lions had no open scholarship slots at the time after signing two players in November.
But then Marshall coach Ron Jirsa was fired. And then Pringle asked to be released from his letter with the Herd and the release was given. And then Penn State lost two players who opted to transfer to other schools. And then Pringle visited Happy Valley over the weekend.
And at that point, he committed to the Nittany Lions, according to sources close to the program. One source said Coach Ed DeChellis and his staff expect to receive a signed letter of intent from Pringle at any moment.
Coaches are not allowed to comment on prospects until the athletes sign. Pringle's commitment to PSU will not be binding until the staff receives his letter.
The late-signing period for college basketball began last Wednesday.
Pringle was the Suncoast Conference Player of the Year in 2006-07, averaging about 20 points, five rebounds and five assists per game. As a freshman, he averaged 16.2 points and 3.8 assists.
At Landstown High in Virginia Beach, Pringle averaged 18.3 points and 6.1 assists as a senior in leading his team to the AAA state championship game.
Besides Penn State, Pringle was also being recruited by Marshall, Nebraska, Western Kentucky and Minnesota, according to PennStateHoops.com.
Penn State now has one scholarship open for the class that will enroll at the university this summer.
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