Cam Wynter Turning Up the Heat at The Right Time
Penn State head coach Micah Shrewsberry is known for having success in the transfer portal in his two years with the blue and white.
The most notable name has been Jalen Pickett, who has blossomed into a star this year for the Nittany Lions. But another guy, Cam Wynter, has been turning up the heat as the season comes to a close.
“There’s only me, Cam and one other guy who have over 1500/500/500,” Pickett said. “So having a teammate like that, it’s just great.”
Wynter is a 6-foot-2 guard transfer from Drexel where he spent the first four years of his collegiate career. His time at the university was one for the books as he became one of the best point guards in Drexel history.
In his time with the Dragons, he racked up three All-CAA selections, the 2021 CAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, the 2019 CAA Rookie of the Year and as mentioned became a member of the 1,500 point, 500 rebound and 500 assist club.
Wynter averaged double digits in each of his four seasons and averaged more than 15 points per game in the last three. He sits top-10 in points, assists and steals in Drexel history.
He joined the blue and white this summer and has become a staple in the starting lineup for Shrewsberry and his staff.
“He’s another guy that gives us somebody that has the ability to get paint touches and force the defense to collapse,” Shrewsberry said.
Wynter’s ability to bring the ball up the court and run the offense allows Pickett to take some stress off his shoulders.
“Seeing Pickett and applying it the way he has, it has given me a little bit of confidence to know that coming in,” Wynter said.
With Penn State’s March Madness hopes starting to fade away, Wynter decided it was time to crank up the stove and catch fire. He dominated the past three games leading up to the matchup with Northwestern.
The last three contests have resulted in Wynter posting numbers of 16.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists while shooting 62.1% from the field and 75% from beyond the arc.
These numbers propelled the Nittany Lions to wins in three of their last four games, but the date with Northwestern represented a do or die game for the blue and white.
Wynter elected to carry the team on his back and continued his hot shooting stretch which is blooming at just the right time.
The Hempstead, New York native lit up the Wildcats and dropped 24 points, four rebounds and three assists on 9-for-15 shooting from the field and 4-for-5 from downtown. Wynter buried a game-winning triple with 0.7 seconds remaining to cement his stellar night and put the dagger into Northwestern.
“I just want to be a guy that brings a different level of competitiveness to this team,” Wynter said.
Wynter’s success in recent games has given an increased sense of hope in and around the Penn State locker room as the season comes to the home stretch.
His play has given the Nittany Lions the opportunity to secure a first-round bye in the Big Ten Tournament with a win over Maryland in their season finale.
Penn State will seek to close the season strong and find its way into the NCAA Tournament field. Wynter will be a major factor in making it easier for his team and his coach.
“I am a way better coach with a guy like Cam Wynter sitting next to me,” Shrewsberry said.
Thomas English is a second-year broadcast journalism major. To contact him, email tfe5082@psu.edu.
