Ahead of the 2023-24 season, PSN will be introducing every Pitt player and updating each player’s current situation on the roster. We continue our breakdowns with a junior guard from PG County!
ISHMAEL LEGGETT
Hometown: Prince George’s County, Maryland
Height, Weight: 6’3, 185 LBs
Position: Guard
Number: 5
Year: Junior
Last year: At Rhode Island, Leggett started 31 games for the second-straight year in his tenure there. He exploded for 16.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, while hitting 48 threes (32%). Leggett scored in double figures in 28 of his 31 games last year, scoring 30+ twice (set a career-high with 34 against Tulane). He played against three power-conference opponents last year. Check out his stat lines against those three teams below.
Kansas State – 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists
Boston College – 10 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists
Providence – 12 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/ishmael-leggett-1/gamelog/2023
The storyline: Leggett was a major addition to the Panthers’ back court out of the transfer portal this offseason. Shortly after entering the portal, Leggett heard from Pitt, Arkansas, Georgia, Boston College, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Ohio State, SMU, Butler and others. He took an official visit to Pitt beginning on April 14, and committed just days later on April 17.
Leggett shined in Pitt’s exhibition games in Europe this summer, and recently led the Panthers to a victory over Georgetown in a scrimmage with 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
Leggett is clearly taking on a major leadership role with his new team, leading younger guards Carlton Carrington and Jaland Lowe, who are expected to play big roles as well. Leggett thrives with the ball in his hands and possesses strength to back down smaller guards in the post. He’s a proven scorer at the division one level and will always look to get the ball in the bucket. While his three-point shooting numbers aren’t particularly strong, he seemed to shoot the three well in Pitt’s recent open practice.
In his own words: “First and foremost, I see myself being a leader, that’s one of the things that I developed being at Rhode Island, just stepping into a leadership role,” Leggett said on the day he committed to Pitt. “I see myself as a guard who defends and can do whatever needs to be done on offense, whether it be score, pass, make the right read. Just a bunch of energy. I’m excited to get out with the guys and just get this thing in motion. Hopefully at the end of the year, make it to the Tournament.”
Ahead of the 2023-24 season, PSN will be introducing every Pitt player and updating each player’s current situation on the roster. We continue our breakdowns with an introduction to Pitt’s high-flying wing Zack Austin.
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