Kevin Stallings and staff will be entertaining three talented 2018 players this weekend.
College of Southern Idaho combo-guard Danya Kingsby (6-foot-1 inches, 170 pounds), Washington (DC) Sidwell Friends forward Saddiq Bey (6-foot-6 inches, 200 pounds) and Saint James (MD) Saint James School forward Bryce Golden (6-foot-9 inches, 220 pounds). Golden has already verbally committed to the Panthers.
Pittsburgh Sports Now spoke with Kingsby about his upcoming visit. “Pitt first made contact with me after the Mullens JUCO Showcase in Wichita, Kansas. They told me they usually don’t recruit JUCO guys but after seeing me play, I was the only guard they liked,” said Kingsby. “Coach (Dan) Cage called me two days later, you know. He told me that I’d be the perfect fit for them and that he was going to bring Coach Stallings down and see me play in Vegas that next weekend. And Stallings loved me. I’m very excited about coming on the visit. I’m looking forward to it.”
Kingsby, originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was exceptional performer at Hamilton High School. He averaged 22.5 points per game as a senior. He spent a year at Arlington Country Day Prep prior to attending the College of Southern Idaho. Danya is currently a sophomore and looks to complete the recruiting process soon.
“I’m a point guard, combo guard. Pitt likes me as a combo-guard,” he said. “I like to score with the basketball. That’s what I’m good at. I make plays for myself and others. On defense, I’ll pick somebody up 94 feet. I’ll harass them all the way to next end of the court.”
In 34 games at Southern Idaho, Kingsby averaged 11.4 points, 3.7 assists, 3 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game while helping lead his team to the National Tournament and a 27-7 record. He’s an ultra-athletic guard that played roughly 23 minutes per game. It’s safe to say he was highly productive for the amount of time he was on the court. He shot 50% from the field as well as 42% from the 3-point line.
When asked about his thoughts on potentially playing in the ACC conference, he stated, “I feel that I’m an ACC caliber player and I think I’ll be the perfect fit for Pitt. Like I said, I’m just looking forward to coming down and visiting the school and going from there.” Kingsby is aware the Panthers have a relatively young roster. The battle tested junior college standout could bring maturity and leadership to the Panthers roster. He added, “No doubt, I want to bring leadership to Pitt. That’s my job, to be a leader out there on and off the floor.”
Kingsby is anxious to learn more about the Pitt’s basketball program. I asked specifically what he was hoping to accomplish over the weekend. “Of course, I want to win. But, I want a program that will fit me and where a coach can trust me and I can trust the coach,” he said. “I only have two years left and I don’t have no time to waste and I don’t want to waste the coach[es] time. One of my guys back home played for Coach Stallings at Vanderbilt. He was very successful with him. I’m looking forward to getting down there and meeting Coach Stallings in person.”
Harry G. Psaros can be found on Twitter at @PittGuru
