Chester Makoi Enjoys his First Visit to Pitt

Jeff Capel and staff recently hosted 2019 power forward / center Chester Makoi (6-foot-10 inches, 215 pounds) and Mareng Gatkuoth (6-foot-5 inches, 170 pounds) from Williamsburg, Virginia.  Both players are members of Team Loaded North Carolina (AAU) program and play for Mt. Zion Christian Academy (Durham, NC). They were originally from Anchorage, Alaska and played for Anchorage Christian Academy.

Pittsburgh Sports Now checked in with Chester Makoi to gather his thoughts on the visit. “I really liked the visit. Pitt has a great campus and state of the art facilities,” said Makoi. “Coach Capel and his staff are a top tier staff and they will have Pitt read to do some big things in the ACC this year. You look at the Capel brothers, Coach Milan [Brown] and the players they are getting to come to Pitt, things are popping in Pittsburgh.”

Although no scholarship offer was extended to Makoi on the visit, the staff is clearly interested in the lengthy prospect. “Mareng and I toured campus and we were getting a feel for [Pitt]. Coach Milan told us that he wants to come out in July and watch us play. He just wants to keep in touch and monitor how we develop,” he said.

Courtesy of Chester Makoi

Makoi is projected a stretch four on the next level.  When asked about his strengths on the basketball court, he stated, “I’m good at protecting the rim. I have a high motor. I can run the floor like a deer. I can stretch the floor and shoot the three. I can create for myself off the dribble and find my teammates. I’m a strong communicator. I have strong leadership skills.”

Makoi is hearing from a number of quality programs, but the Panthers may have separated themselves with the recent visit. “Pitt was probably my favorite visit and school. They are in my top three,” he stated. Maloi indicated that he and Gatkuoth were hoping to commit to a school as a ‘package deal’.

At this point, Jeff Capel is taking a wait and see approach. Makoi has the athleticism and frame to grow into a formidable ACC player. A scholarship offer will be directly predicated on his future development.

Harry Psaros can be found on Twitter at @PittGuru