Penn State Basketball Guard Melih Tunca Enters Transfer Portal
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA - FEBRUARY 21: Melih Tunca #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions dribbles against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena on February 21, 2026 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) | Getty Images After a disappointing basketball season that saw Penn State finish dead last in the Big Ten at 3-17 and 12-20 overall, it was expected that a few players would end up entering the transfer portal. Earlier this week, Melih Tunca became the first one to officially enter his name in the portal.
The 6’5” Turkish guard, who was one of four international players added to the roster last offseason, averaged 7. 8 points and 2. 3 assists per game, and began the season as a starter, scoring double figures in nine of the team’s first ten games.
Melih’s stats however, dropped off significantly once the Nittany Lions got into the heart of Big Ten play, as the physicality and athleticism of Big Ten opponents appeared to be a little much at times, forcing him into more of a bench role. Perhaps going down a level to a mid-major program plus a full offseason in a strength and conditioning program could be the remedy for him to reaching his full potential as a college hoops player. Having just completed his freshman year, Tunca will have three years of eligibility remaining at whichever program he ends up with.