Just weeks before Pitt’s first official practice of the year, the Panthers lost one of their top young players to a devastating injury.
Papa Amadou Kante, a 6-foot-10, four-star freshman big man, slipped in practice and suffered a non-contact knee injury. Shortly after, Pitt announced that he is expected to miss the entire 2023-24 season due to the injury.
“He’s struggling right now,” Capel said on Wednesday in his first press conference of the year. “It hit him [that] he can’t play.”
Amadou Kante came into Pitt as one of the best prospects that Capel has brought into Pitt, especially in the front court. The Senegal native moved to the United States in 2019, and quickly burst onto the recruiting scene with a strong high-school career at South Kent School (CT).
He was set to back up Panthers’ returning five man Federiko Federiko, who is entering his junior season with Pitt.
“It’s unfortunate,” Capel added about the loss of Amadou Kante. “Even as a freshman, he probably would have been our most physical post guy. He is very strong and has an unbelievable motor. It’s something you can’t teach. It’s a big loss for us.”
The Panthers will now turn to Guillermo Diaz-Graham for more responsibility in the front court, along with his brother Jorge and returning All-ACC selection Blake Hinson, who played the four for Pitt last year.
Hmm. Methinks he’s setting up the excuses early.
I know what you’re saying, but this is actually a big loss.
Still on the Coach to perform. It’s his roster and his job. No excuses
I would agree with you for a player like Dior Johnson – his player, his recruit, writing on the wall, etc. But an injury before the season to a 4 start recruit who was providing very capable depth to a position with a returning starter from last year (to a team with 13 scholarships to boot) is an unfortunate, big loss. Any injury on a basketball team is a tough loss, even if only for practice purposes. Especially so for a top recruit.
This is a coach who has NEVER taken accountability. Go 11-21 “I need better players” whining about dumpster fires 4 years in, etc. Luke May go, and the buyout is dropping. I can’t wait.
Lyke. Autocorrect
fair enough. I cant say, deep down, I don’t agree…. despite last year. but just saying in this case, he recruited that “better player” and it is a big loss that he is out before the season even begins. even if he is just pushing Federiko to be a tougher player at practice, it is a loss.
LUKE?. Learn how to spell. As for players, he went out and GOT better players. If you don’t know what a dumpster fire is, think Kevin Stallings. The ACC coach of the year does not whine, he states the FACTS. This team is going to make you look stupid and I can’t wait.
“Learn how to spell” Coming from you, it’s the epitome of irony. Sad little wannabe
That is why he is ACC Coach of the year. He performed without John Hugely and won 24 games.
It’s Hugley MORON! Take your own advice, you uneducated simpleton.
Name calling again?Nothing that you say bothers me. That explains why you’re such a BIG Narcissism fan.. Silly little troll.
And yet you constantly engage follow and reply to my posts. Loser.
“Big narcissism fan”? What does that even mean?
Figure it out.
I don’t speak gibberish
You are gibberish
Wow. So clever. What’s next, I’m rubber you’re glue?