Jeff Capel’s top big man target for 2019 was on campus Monday night. Not only was four-star Kennedy Catholic center Oscar Tshiebwe on campus, he played a pickup game with members of the Pitt team.
It appears the more Tshiebwe has gotten to know Capel, the more he’s come to like him and the chances of Pitt landing the coveted prospect have improved.
“The visit was good,” Tshiebwe said. “We played five-on-five pickup with the Pitt players. … (Capel) said he will make me even better and get me to the next level. He said, ‘We need you at Pitt.’ He wants to sign me and another big man. He told me that I’m their top priority for big men.
“I was so happy about that. That was cool. I had a lot of fun. Coach Capel is a good coach, a really good coach.”
What was it like for Tshiebwe to learn he was such an important target?
“I guess it means that I’m pretty good that he wants me that much,” Tshiebwe said. “Hearing that also gives me more motivation to try to continue to get better and better.”
Tshiebwe admitted that the time Capel has put towards recruiting him has definitely improved their relationship.
“It’s gotten better,” Tshiebwe said. “He texts all the time, almost everyday and I text him back. He asks how my day is going, you doing OK, he wished me luck on my finals at school. We were texting the other day about the NBA game, he asked who I thought was going to win. Our relationship is getting good.”
As of now, Tshiebwe doesn’t have any trips planned to other schools, but might decide on some things next week.
“I did tell Coach Capel that I’ll be back again,” said Tshiebwe. “I liked what we did playing pickup. I’ll be back again. Pitt has a nice point guard and I think they only need a a couple big guys and that team could be amazing.”
Tshiebwe says Pitt is one of his top schools. He hasn’t decided on a top group yet and wants to be clear that he’s still open to all schools.
