Penn State Basketball 2019-2020 Player Preview: Myles Dread

Position: Guard
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 215 pounds

Myles Dread was the highest rated member of Penn State’s 2018 recruiting class. The Gonzaga Prep product came to campus as a highly touted recruit, and made an immediate impact last season. Now, Pat Chambers and his coaching staff will be looking for big things from Dread as the Nittany Lions look to make a long overdue return to the NCAA Tournament this spring.

What he did last year

As a freshman Dread played in all 32 games last season, making 28 starts. He quickly introduced himself to Nittany Lions fans with a 17 point performance in a victory over North Florida. Dread led the Nittany Lions with 67 3-point field goals a year ago, which was the second most by a freshman in program history. When the season was over he found himself averaging 8.3 points and 2.8 rebounds while playing an average of 29.0 minutes per game.

What we need this year

While Dread had a strong freshman campaign, he still had plenty of freshman moments. This season, the Nittany Lions will need Dread to build upon his freshman season and take the next step in becoming a more consistent scoring threat.

15 times last season Dread scored 7 points or less, including being shut out twice. There were stretches where he seemed to disappear from the Nittany Lion offense and this can not happen again this season. Oftentimes when he struggled he would try and shoot his way out of a slump. Some times this can work, but, with Dread, it led to poor shot selection and digging his hole further.

Despite his record breaking season from behind the 3-point line, Dread shot just 35.5% from behind the arc. Overall, he shot just 37.8% on field goal attempts. In order for Dread to take the step that is needed of him this season, he needs to become a more consistent field goal shooter and improve in his shot selection. All of the tools needed to be a lethal shooter in the Big Ten are there for Dread.