Pitt wing Au’Diese Toney will sit out the rest of the season and enter the transfer portal, the program announced on Thursday, the second player in as many days to leave the team.
Head coach Jeff Capel said Toney’s departure, similar to Johnson’s was through mutual agreement between the player and the team.
“We have come to the mutual agreement that Au’Diese will be leaving the Pitt Men’s Basketball program effective immediately,” said Capel. “We appreciate his efforts the past three seasons in our program and wish him well as he looks to continue to grow on and off the court.”
Johnson and Toney were two of Capel’s three original recruits to the program, along with guard Trey McGowens, who transferred to Nebraska before the 2020-21 season.
Toney had developed into a leader on the team and one of its most productive players. He was second on the team with 14.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
Capel emphasized Toney’s importance after he missed the team’s last game against Florida State on Saturday.
“We missed him,” Capel said. “It’s our second-leading scorer, second-leading rebounder, second in assists, he’s our best defender. He’s also one of the guys that we have that has experience, and he’s played well against Florida State. So we missed that. Big loss for us. But the guys stepped up and played well and gave us a chance to win.”
To replace Toney in the starting lineup, Capel utilized senior Miami (Ohio) transfer Nike Sibande against Florida State and Sibande responded with a season-best 12-point performance. Freshmen Will Jeffress and Noah Collier could also be options.
I think fist getRead of the Athletic Director then the basketball coach bring someone in head coach experience
So your first thought is to get rid of the Athletic Director who has done a fantastic job at Pitt??!!
How Many bowl win they have Maybe one in a Dickey bowl and Basketball program is in disarray
Heather’s done a damn good job and Capel had HC experience. You’re 0-2 dude…
This is bad. Capel and/or Lyle need to tell the fan base what is going on. I can justify X leaving, not toney
This is really bad and indicates instability in the program. X leaving is justified. Toney leaving indicates real problems.
WTH is going on?!
This is hard to watch. I’m hoping that Capel is demanding a lot from his players and these guys dont like being coached hard so they have decided to leave. Capel is letting everyone know who is in charge and that could end up being a really good thing in the future.
I feel bad for Justin champagne. It’s hard to think he will be back. He is in the same position that cam Johnson was a few years back.
I hope he comes back,,,, That’s all they got left.
Capel’s gotta go. This is worse than the end of Dixon’s tenure…
From what I’ve heard from some people is that this may be over a woman and possibly regarding Champagnie as well with the woman. I do not have proof. It is all conjecture but that is what I’ve heard being the cause. It is not a good look. This team is in trouble and they will be in real big trouble if Champagnie leaves for the NBA. No commits and losing your 3 best starters. Any progress that has been made has evaporated. Again, I do not know if that is the exact cause. Only what I’ve heard. Don’t know… Read more »
Everyone should hold judgement until the true facts come out. Toney was having a fine season, I thought he was Pitt’s most improved player. Everyone is quick to jump on Coach Capel without the facts, this is shameful This Coach has shown class and a genuine care for his player’s best interest. I truly believe these kids put him in a difficult situation and did what was best for the program.