Merkle averaged 15.5 points per game this season.
Maryland women’s basketball earned its first commitment of the offseason Sunday from a conference rival. Penn State center Gracie Merkle announced her decision on Instagram Sunday.
Merkle, a redshirt sophomore, averaged 15.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game in her only season with the Nittany Lions after starting her collegiate career with Bellarmine. She has two years of eligibility remaining.
Listed at 6-foot-6, Merkle should be a force down low for head coach Brenda Frese.
She faced Maryland on Jan. 29 and led the Nittany Lions in scoring with 24 points. Merkle also shot 11-of-13 from the field, but Maryland won the game, 82-73.
Maryland lacked a true center this season. Christina Dalce was the closest thing it had to a center, but was listed as a forward at 6-foot-2. With Dalce, a senior, most likely moving on, Merkle should slot into the starting lineup instantly.