Looking at the Pitt 2020-21 Roster, Who Will Return?

With the Pitt basketball season officially ending on Wednesday, the question now becomes, what will Jeff Capel’s 2020-21 roster look like?

His Class of 2020 currently consists of 3 players but that in all likelihood will be increasing as they’re hoping to add two high school players and possibly a grad transfer.

Pitt currently stands at 12 scholarship players for next season, which is one under the limit, meaning if they were to add more then one player, someone from the current roster would be leaving.

The 2020-21 roster currently looks like Xavier Johnson, Trey McGowens, Ithiel Horton, Ryan Murphy, Justin Champagnie, Gerald Drumgoole, Au’Diese Toney, Terrell Brown, Karim Coulibaly, Noah Collier, John Hugley and Max Amadasun.

There’s been talk that Johnson could turn pro after sophomore year since the end of last season, but his performance this season didn’t do anything to improve his NBA stock. His postgame comments following the NC State loss all pointed toward Johnson returning to Pitt for his junior season, but that can always change.

Pitt guard Xavier Johnson goes for a lay-up vs. N.C. State on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at the Greensboro Coliseum in the ACC tournament. (Mitchell Northam / Pittsburgh Sports Now)

There’s also always the chance that a player could enter the transfer portal, particularly if the ACC/Big Ten proposal to grant a one-time, penalty-free transfer passes.

Competition will be added to the backcourt next season with the addition of Horton, who was forced to sit out after transferring from Delaware. Capel has raved about him at various points this season and he’s someone that will no doubt reason major minutes next season. It’s interesting that Horton is capable of playing either guard position, so keep that it mind if either Johnson or another guard such as McGowens or Murphy were to leave.

A lot of attention has been on four-star wing William Jeffress or 2020 three-star PG Femi Odukale, as Pitt’s last two remaining additions for 2020.

With the way Pitt struggled from 3-point range this season, that might not be the case. Capel could try and add a veteran guard to his roster. Pitt struggled this season not having any depth behind Johnson at the point and with the depth still being a question, I believe Capel will look to add a grad transfer as an insurance policy. With the college basketball season now being finished, players will start announcing their intent to transfer, so keep your eye on the guards.

Murphy and Brown will be Pitt’s lone seniors next season and although there’s always a chance they could transfer, I see it as a better chance that both players will return next season.

It’s officially the offseason for college basketball, let’s see what additions and subtractions will take place at Pitt.