Ahead of Pitt’s game against Notre Dame on Tuesday night, head coach Jeff Capel offered updates on several Panthers who have spent most of this year off the court.
Capel said that John Hugley, last year’s leading scorer, is not practicing with the team. In mid-January, Hugley announced that he would be sitting out the rest of the year to focus on his mental health and injury rehabilitation. After starting the year out due to a knee injury, Hugley averaged eight points and 3.6 rebounds per game in limited action.
Over the weekend, Hugley’s high school coach Chet Mason posted a video on Twitter of Hugley working out with future Pitt wing Marlon Barnes, who is currently at Brush High School.
Capel said that Dior Johnson is practicing with the team. In late January, Johnson, the Panthers’ five star freshman who was arrested and suspended from the program earlier in the year, was reinstated to the program. Pitt announced that he would seek a redshirt this year.
Capel also said that William Jeffress, who is out for the year after receiving foot surgery earlier this year, has been cleared for everything other than contact.
“Dior is practicing,” Capel said. “Will is cleared to do everything except for contact.”
When asked if Hugley is practicing with the team at all, Capel said, “no.”
I sure hope that all 3 return to the team next year!
If big John comes back I could see one or both of the twins redshirting.
Kind of hesitant about bringing anyone back from those losing teams prior to this season. We don’t really need Hugely, since Fede is a better rebounder, shot blocker and is much more a presence in the middle, especially defensively. And Hugely would have to play the 4, which is Hinson’s position. Plus he’s kinda slow and doesn’t have much leaping ability. NCAA’s is much more guard oriented now-a-days as we see Pitt playing with 3 starting Guards and only 1 Forward (Hinson). Dior can come back as long as he isn’t a disruptive to the team/program. Jeffress unless he’s improved… Read more »
Hinson is a small fwd and belongs at the 3 spot. He cant rebound like a 4 should. Im more worried who takes the 1 and 2. Who dribbles the ball up next year a freshman?
Apparently Dior Johnson has been practicing with the team, so I would imagine him. And the top rated new hs recruit is a PG as well. Sean Miller was a starting freshman PG and many teams have them now-a-days.
With Burton, Elliott, Cumming and Sibande moving on, someone besides Hinson is going to have to put points on the board. Capel will probably need to find some minutes for last years leading scorer.
Its wishful thinking that any of these 3 is at Pitt next season. I think Hug and Jeff would do better changing scenery and with the big twins and Fede progressing nicely Capel can let them go. Dior is a roulette spin. Would like to see what all the hype is though. H2P
Decades ago I watched the most talented shooter in Pitt history for 4-years. He was played out of position until the end of his career. Larry Harris possessed the sweetest jump shot I’ve seen with the exception of Bob McAdoo but he was one dimensional. Wouldn’t or couldn’t play defense. John Hughley is an example of a one dimensional player. If you want to make money, you have to play defense like Blake Hinson. Tenacious. I believe everyone would benefit with a change of scenery.
The bigger question is “Will Pitt be able to keep Fedy and the twins for another year. With NIL and unlimited recruiting, the Blue Bloods are going to call with an open checkbook. Someone with more inside information told us Jordan Addison received far in excess of the $2 million quoted to play one year for the Trojans.
Yeah…..blank checks coming for two 195lb 7 footers who play less than 10 minutes…….lol. Federeko is a different story.
Dior will definitely be needed with all the leading shooters/scorers (other than Blake) graduating after this season. Too bad he couldn’t stay out of trouble as a freshman, we could have used an extra guard off the bench with his talent.. Good news is that he is practicing with & against Capel’s best team. Hopefully, HC Capel & the Asst Coaches can get a couple 5th year Portal transfers to help with the 3 point shooting.. Jeffress needs to work on his outside shooting form (he needed to redshirt his freshman year or his senior year in High School) that… Read more »