Washington got some out of nowhere news this morning when Ohio PG Dominiq Penn committed to the Huskies.
COMMITTED #Pac12 pic.twitter.com/Tn3xTsFdaw
— Dominiq Penn (@thedompenn) January 5, 2021
In an interview with 247 Sports Penn stated that he had reclassified to the class of 2021 but switched course and enrolled at UW starting this week. That move means that Penn is eligible immediately and could potentially appear in games for the Huskies this season. With the rules for this season because of the pandemic he will be a true freshman next year with the ability to redshirt even if he doesn’t appear in any games the rest of 2021.
He hasn’t had a new listed offer on his 247 profile since 2018 and no articles in his profile since early 2019 so it’s unclear what exactly has happened with him in the interim. Without AAU games this summer there weren’t opportunities for recruiting analysts to talk to potential recruits and if he doesn’t like talking to the media then it’s easy to fall off the radar.
He received an offer from Ohio State early in high school where his dad worked on staff at the time and it appears most assumed that was a done deal. Dom’s dad Scoonie is a former Big 10 player of the year with Ohio State and was a 2nd team All-American at PG for the Buckeyes. His father is on the staff for the Memphis Grizzlies now though and Dominiq cited the relationship between his dad and coach Hopkins as one of the factors that went into his decision.
According to MaxPreps, Penn averaged 11.2 points and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 40% on 3-pt attempts as a senior for Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Tennessee (where he transferred before the season) after averaging 19 points as a junior in his home of Ohio.
Penn is listed at 6’0 and 155 pounds on 247 but as I noted his profile doesn’t appear to have been very well maintained. He’s listed at 6’2 and 175 pounds on MaxPreps which given that it’s been updated more recently is probably closer to his current height/weight. But it could also be that he added an inch or two on the roster controlled by his team.
Regardless, he’s a little undersized for Washington’s zone and realistically would need to spend some time in a college weight room before contributing. Getting Penn into the program now seems like a hedge if Quade Green decides to turn pro after this season.
We’ll have more on this move as more information becomes available but obviously when an out-of-state recruit who didn’t have a listed offer from UW suddenly commits there’s not a lot immediately out there.
Dom Penn is a tough playmaking guard who has made steady improvement over the years. A pass first player who can & will score with opportunity. Has addressed strength & being more vocal. Will bring @UW_MBB depth in the backcourt. Dad @Scooniep12 a legend now passes the torch.
— Paul Biancardi (@PaulBiancardi) January 5, 2021