Penn State Adds Davidson Transfer Blums to Bolster Perimeter Shooting

Latvian guard Roberts Blums joins the Nittany Lions after two seasons at Davidson.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 6:34pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a basketball player mid-jump shot, the figure broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of vivid blue, red, and gold hues, conveying the dynamic motion and skill of the sport.A cubist-inspired illustration captures the explosive energy and precise form of a basketball player's jump shot, reflecting the Nittany Lions' renewed focus on perimeter scoring.Penn State Erie Today

Penn State has landed Davidson transfer Roberts Blums, a 6-foot-4 Latvian combo guard who shot 40.7% from 3-point range over the past two seasons. Blums represents a significant boost in both efficiency and volume for the Nittany Lions, who finished 271st nationally in 3-point shooting last season.

Why it matters

Penn State struggled mightily with perimeter shooting in 2025-26, ranking near the bottom of Division I in both 3-point percentage and 3-pointers made per game. The addition of Blums, a proven long-range marksman, should help address this glaring weakness and provide a needed scoring punch on the wing.

The details

Across 32 games with Davidson, the 20-year-old Blums shot 40.7% from 3-point range (77-of-189) and 45.6% from the field overall (136-of-298). He knocked down at least one 3-pointer in all but four of those contests, including three games with six made triples. Blums' arrival, along with the additions of guards Jay Rodgers and Brant Byers, should significantly upgrade Penn State's perimeter shooting.

  • Blums spent the past two seasons at Davidson before committing to Penn State on April 15, 2026.
  • Penn State is undergoing a major roster overhaul this offseason, with seven transfer portal departures and five new additions.

The players

Roberts Blums

A 20-year-old Latvian combo guard who spent the past two seasons at Davidson, where he shot 40.7% from 3-point range.

Mike Rhoades

The head coach of the Penn State men's basketball team, who is overhauling the roster this offseason.

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What they’re saying

“Not to put pressure on our guys, but that's basketball. We're kicking it to you, or a one-more to you, or you're the guy off a ball screen – you're open, you got to knock them down.”

— Mike Rhoades, Penn State Head Coach

What’s next

Penn State will look to integrate Blums and the other new additions into the roster ahead of the 2026-27 season, as the Nittany Lions aim to improve upon their 14-17 record from last year.

The takeaway

The addition of Blums, a proven perimeter shooter, represents a significant upgrade for Penn State's offense and should help the Nittany Lions address a glaring weakness from last season. His arrival, along with several other new faces, signals a major roster overhaul as the program looks to take a step forward.