New Pitt women’s basketball head coach Tory Verdi made an important decision on Thursday morning.
Verdi will need great leadership as he and his staff get adjusted to ACC Women’s Basketball and as they attempt to bring in the type of players they want to rebuild this program.
In his first season leading the Panthers program, Verdi has announced that senior Kiatu King and sophomore Marley Washenitz will be the captains for the 2023-24 season. This is the first-time being team captains for both King and Washenitz.
King is coming off of her best collegiate season, as she averaged 9.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 23 minutes of action. The Washington, DC native ranked 4th in the ACC in blocks, fifth in rebounding and led the Panthers team with six double-doubles. King has been a starter over the last two seasons for the Panthers.
In her first season wearing a Pitt uniform, Washenitz averaged 3.3 points, 1.5 assists and 1.3 rebounds in 28 games (16 starts). The talented point guard was a big addition to the Pitt program last season and looks to be a player that could excel under the coaching of Verdi and his style of play.
King and Wsahenitz are just two of four returning players from Pitt’s roster last season.
The Panthers open up their 2023-24 regular season at home on Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 7:00 pm as they welcome the Yale Bulldogs to the Petersen Events Center.