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Source: Forward John Hugley to Return to Pitt Basketball Team

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After having felony charges against him dropped in court on Thursday morning, forward John Hugley will return to the Pitt basketball program for the upcoming 2021-22 season, a source close to the team told Pittsburgh Sports Now.

Appearing in court on Thursday for the first time since he was charged in January in connection with a vehicle stolen from near Pitt’s campus last July, Hugley had two charges of criminal conspiracy and one charge of receiving property dropped by prosecutors in exchange for one charge of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, a second-degree misdemeanor.

Hugley will be eligible for ARD for the final charge, and it will be wiped from is record if he completes the program. Hugley’s attorney Frank Walker said after the hearing that his client made a “bad decision,” but was taking responsibility for his actions.

MORE: Felony chargers dropped against Pitt forward John Hugley.

A 6-foot-9 freshman and four-star prospect out of Brush High School in Cleveland, Ohio, Hugley played in seven games and made one starts last season for Pitt. He scored 36 points and grabbed 30 rebounds while averaging 14.9 minutes per game.

Pitt had significant difficulty in replacing Hugley on the floor after his mid-season suspension in January. Abdoul Karim Coulibaly and Terrell Brown, who both played increased minutes after Hugley’s suspension last season, have both transferred from the team.

Pitt head coach Jeff Capel targeted five-star Class of 2021 center prospect Efton Reid, but Reid chose LSU over Pitt and others on Sunday.

Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker
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Dennis Wagner
2 years ago

I believe without the spectur of hanging over his head in the beginning of last season we will see less tentative player. If coached properly, and this is a big if, he has the talent to be better than Blair. Jefferes is also now exonorated and should be out of Capel's dog house. The two of them, with the possible addition of Champagine would could still return when he realizes he will not be selected for the D league or any European team until he learns how to play at 6'6" shoting guard. Two years playing the 2 at Pitt… Read more »

Mtgj
Mtgj
2 years ago
Reply to  Dennis Wagner

I agree about champagne. He needs to learn how to shoot and play guard. Maybe the d league is the best place for that but I believe college is a much better pls e for Justin snd I hope he realized that over the next few months

Bill House
Bill House
2 years ago
Reply to  Mtgj

It’s been reported that he signed with an agent already. Not eligible to return to college.

AMF
AMF
2 years ago
Reply to  Bill House

You are quite correct.Signing with
an agent makes you officially
ineligible to ever play college ball.
It would seem that he was given
bad advice. The likelihood is that
he will land in Europr.

Kirk Blazic
Kirk Blazic
2 years ago
Reply to  AMF

That’s no longer true. You can actually come back to college after signing with an agent provided you don’t accept any benefits in excess of what is expressly permitted by the NCAA. I don’t think it’s likely he comes back since he’s stated it’s about making money for his family, but it is still a possibility.

AMF
AMF
2 years ago
Reply to  Mtgj

Actually the D league with NBA
connected coaches is a much better
training ground for a young man
hopeful of playing in the NBA,but
very few make the jump.

Mtgj
Mtgj
2 years ago

I love that he is coming back. He made a mistake that anyone could make and he seems to be dealing with it the correct way. Pitt needed some good news. If they can get champagne back then I like the team for next year, either way hughley and jeffress give Pitt some big time players moving forward.

Krackerjack Kid
Krackerjack Kid
2 years ago
Reply to  Mtgj

Made a mistake that ANYONE could make? Are you kidding me?

This guy is lucky he plays in the ACC or he would be facing those felonies.

No brah. 99.8% of the population doesn’t make this mistake.

kmp30
kmp30
2 years ago

I dont know. I think his friend stole the car and he thought he was out for a ride. I dont think his actions were super sinister. Prosecutor dropped the charges. If it were a huge deal, or they thought he had a more sinister intent, they might not have let him off. The law has spoken. They’re the actual judges here anyway.

Kirk Blazic
Kirk Blazic
2 years ago
Reply to  kmp30

That doesn’t really jive with the actual facts. The car was stolen, somebody put stolen plates on the car and Hugley was seen on video using the car two weeks after it was stolen. The car wasn’t recovered for over a month. He didn’t think he was going for a ride!!

kmp30
kmp30
2 years ago
Reply to  Kirk Blazic

He was seen in the car two weeks after? Citation please. I’ve read he was seen getting into the car THAT night, and his friend picked him up AFTER he shad already taken it. Cite the “facts” please. Not saying you’re wrong, just haven’t heard that particular fact. Either way, they dropped the charge. They dont just do that. Prosecution dropped it. We’re not the judges here.

Last edited 2 years ago by kmp30
Kirk Blazic
Kirk Blazic
2 years ago
Reply to  kmp30

Hugley and his friend were at the same party/apartment when they stole the keys to the car from a female student. They left together. Pittsburgh police have video evidence of a black male later identified as Hugley exiting the car on August 2nd. The car was taken July 19th. It’s all in the police reports. I’m not saying people don’t deserve second chances but it’s highly suspect that he thought he was going for a ride.

kmp30
kmp30
2 years ago
Reply to  Kirk Blazic

S

Last edited 2 years ago by kmp30
Clark Martineau
2 years ago

First time, wasn’t trying to take the car to a chop shop, car not burned or damaged. A foolish action for a thrill?, not a budding criminal.

 
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