Moeller's Evan Mahaffey announces commitment to Penn State basketball

Moeller High School senior Evan Mahaffey announced his commitment Wednesday via Twitter to play college basketball for the Penn State Nittany Lions.

During last season's 20-5 Moeller run, Mahaffey averaged 8.1 points per game. He led the Greater Catholic League-South in assists with 3.6 per game and in shooting percentage at 62.9. He also was third in blocks with 1.2 per contest and fifth in steals with 1.5 per game. 

Mahaffey, a 6-foot-6-inch guard, was a first team All-Greater Catholic League South selection last season. The Crusaders lost in the postseason to eventual Division I state champion Centerville on a buzzer-beater, 40-38. 

"The campus feel was really nice," Mahaffey said Wednesday evening. "I went up there for a visit and I like how it was secluded, the way it's away from everything. I think I'll really grow a lot. I felt really comfortable with the coaching staff."

At Penn State, he'll play for first-year coach Micah Shrewsberry, who recently was an assistant for Matt Painter at Purdue and was also with the NBA Boston Celtics from 2013-2019.

"It's an opportunity to really help him with his coaching career and help their basketball program get a lot more respect, especially in the Big Ten," Mahaffey said. 

Mahaffey also cited the Penn State alumni base for opportunities after basketball. 

He'll also eventually face former Moeller teammate Logan Duncomb in the Big Ten. Duncomb is part of the Indiana program. Mahaffey spoke to Duncomb after his decision.

"Now I have to play against you," he said. 

Mahaffey can now focus on trying to win a state title for the Crusaders. His sophomore season the tournament was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic and last season's campaign ended with the regional final loss to Centerville. Moeller's last state championship came in 2019 in the senior season of future New York Knicks draft pick Miles McBride. 

During that 29-0 season, Mahaffey was a freshman starting for Northwest. He transferred to Moeller for his sophomore season and became a full-time starter last season as a junior.

Mahaffey also had offers from Cincinnati, Kansas State, West Virginia, Western Carolina and Xavier, per 247sports.com.

Penn State offered Mahaffey in May.

Social media reactions, including Mahaffey's announcement:

Mahaffey's father, Jamie, played at Miami University.

UC offered Mahaffey in July 2020 with John Brannen as head coach and again in June 2021 with Wes Miller as head coach.

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