Athough fan bases become impatient and want instant results, it will take multiple recruiting classes to enable the Pitt staff to bring in proper talent that will allow them to compete in the ACC conference.
Last season, they added a major piece in freshman Justin Champagnie, who went on to become arguably Pitt’s best player this season. In their upcoming class, they appear to be bringing in another difference maker in Cleveland 4-star center John Hugley.
Taking a look at the latest 247 Sports team recruiting rankings, they have Pitt’s Class of 2020 currently ranked 31st. Keep in mind, Pitt is looking to add at least one more high school player so this No. 31 team ranking will likely improve. For example, if Pitt were to land a 4-star wing Will Jeffress, they would move all the way up to No. 12 in the country (according to 247’s Class Calculator). Pitt hasn’t had a recruiting class in the 20’s (per 247 Sports) since 2012 when they finished the season ranked No. 25 and haven’t had a Top 15 class since 2011 when they were 13th.
The future looks bright as well with the 2022 commitment of 4-star, Top 30 player Jalen Hood-Schifino. The Panthers are one of only three teams in D-I with a commitment that far out.
247 SPORTS’ PITT BASKETBALL RECRUITING RANKINGS OVER LAST 7 SEASONS (AND THE FUTURE)
Class of 2022: 2nd
Class of 2021: N/R
Class of 2020: 31st
Class of 2019: 49th
Class of 2018: 32nd
Class of 2017: 51st
Class of 2016: 112th
Class of 2015: 80th
Class of 2014: 87th
With the Class of 2020 nearly complete, the staff’s attention will beginning shifting a bit more to their Class of 2021 and once again, they have their eyes on a number of highly ranked players.
Here are some of the players that we’ll be focusing on when Capel, Jason Capel, Milan Brown and Tim O’Toole get back on the recruiting trail.
TOP 2021 PITT PANTHER TARGETS:
C Frank Kepnang (6’10”, 225), 5-star recruit from Westtown, Pennsylvania
C Nnanna Njoku (6’9″, 245), 4-star recruit from Hockessin, Delaware
C Adama Sanogo (6’9”, 250), 4-star recruit from Hillside, New Jersey
C Micawber Etienne (6’10, 220), 4-star recruit from Suffield, Connecticut
SF Dontrez Styles (6’6”, 190), 4-star recruit from Kinston, North Carolina
SF Quincy Allen (6’7”, 180), 4-star recruit fromWashington DC
SF Benny Williams (6’8”, 185), 4-star recruit from Potomac, Maryland
SG Trevor Keels (6’5”, 210), 5-star recruit from Fairfax, Virginia
PG Jalen Warley (6’5″, 180), 4-star recruit from Westtown, Pennsylvania
