It wasn’t the summer Pitt sophomore forward Jorge Diaz Graham envisioned it would be following an NCAA Tournament birth and two wins in the big dance.
Jorge suffered a foot injury in late July that hampered him for the remainder of the offseason. The 7-footer from the Canary Islands in Spain remained in the United States for the majority of the summer with his twin brother Guillermo to further push their development.
The injury forced Jorge to miss Pitt’s two exhibition games in Spain and the chance to represent his school alongside Guillermo in front of family and friends.
“It was hard not being able to play in Spain with my family,” Diaz Graham said. “I still enjoyed it, and my brother (Guillermo) played in front of (our) family.”
His foot has healed back to full strength, and also put on 20 pounds since the end of last season to further his abilities in and around the paint.
“I’m feeling great,” Diaz Graham said. “No pain at all. Hopefully, it stays like this.”
The 2022-23 All-ACC Academic Team and ACC Honor Roll member averaged 2.9 points and 2.2 rebounds in 9.2 minutes per game through 31 total appearances. Jorge recorded five rebounds – two on the offensive glass – in the Panthers’ 59-41 Round of 64 victory against Iowa State. The performance marked the most rebounds Diaz Graham had recorded in a game since Dec. 20 at Syracuse.
Teamed along with Guillermo and junior Fede Federiko, the Panthers have three young, but experienced bigs who have molded their games more towards the style of play in ACC competition. Jorge is excited to be back with the guys and rekindle the family culture and atmosphere that took Pitt to new heights a season ago.
“It’s super nice to be back,” Diaz Graham said. “It’s good to be back with these guys on the court.”
