Jeff Capel Scouts Laurel Highlands Freshman Star Rodney Gallagher

Despite not having a game to prepare for this weekend, Pitt basketball coach Jeff Capel isn’t taking the night off.

Recruiting will be his main task over the next few months and tonight, Capel has started that task as he evaluates one of the rising stars in Pennsylvania.

Capel is at Greensburg Salem High School for the Laurel Highlands vs. York Suburban 1st round PIAA playoff game and no doubt has his attention on Laurel Highlands freshman guard Rodney Gallagher.

Courtesy of Ed Thompson

The freshman phenom is fresh off leading his school to their first WPIAL Championship, as Laurel Highlands defeated Mars, 52-51.

Although he’s only a freshman, Gallagher is drawing interest from major college programs and already holds an offer from Illinois. It’s only a matter of time until more major offers start coming in and Capel might be trying to get ahead of the process.

It’s interesting to see the impact the state of Pennsylvania is having on Pitt basketball’s recent recruiting.

Consider that in Pitt’s Class of 2020, they received a commitment from 3-star wing Noah Collier from Westtown, Pennsylvania. In the upcoming Class of 2021, they are heavily recruiting 4-star wing Will Jeffress from Erie, along with 4-star guard Jalen Worley and 5-star center Franck Kepnang, both from Westtown. In the Class of 2022, they’ve already received a commitment from former Western Pennsylvania product 4-star guard Jalen Hood-Schifino.

It sure looks as though the name Rodney Gallagher will be a name to watch for the Class of 2023.