Bub Carrington began his collegiate career on a historic note.
Carrington, the Panthers’ 6-foot-5 freshman point guard, dropped a triple double in his first ever college game, marking the first triple double by a Pitt player since all the way back in 1998. Since that game, he has only continued to produce elite numbers.
Carrington has hit at least five field goals in all four games for Pitt this year and has been as steady as they come scoring the ball with games of 18, 18, 19, and 17 points. He has hit multiple threes in each game this year, including a career-best five in the Panthers’ blowout win over Jacksonville on Friday. Carrington ranks 22nd in the nation in assists per game, with 6.3, and is tied for 11th in points per game among all freshmen in division one hoops. He has won both ACC Rookie of the Week awards so far through the first two weeks of the season.
Despite his flashy statistics, he and his head coach Jeff Capel both agree that he is letting the game come to him and has not forced much to begin his career.
“Just making the right play,” Carrington said about what he is focused on at his position. “If the ball comes back to me, just be aggressive. But I would say, always just being aggressive and making the right play. When two people are on me, I’m going to swing it. If I’ve got a good shot going, I’m going to take it.”
His performance through four games has caught the eye of scouts, national media members, and all those who follow college basketball. He was recently projected as a first-round pick in a mock draft. All of this after just four collegiate games. Although he had an excellent high-school career, Carrington wasn’t a five-star prospect, and didn’t receive the same amount of hype that those prospects did in his class.
To some in his shoes, this attention may be distracting. However, the Baltimore native says, he’s been able to stay focused.
“Last couple weeks have been same old,” Carrington said on Monday. “Class, practice, games. Just trying to win games, really.”
“I definitely got a lot of friends that’s going to support,” he continued. “I appreciate them for it, too. But all the extra stuff, I try not to pay attention to.”
Carrington and the Panthers will face their first high-major opponent of the year on Wednesday night in Brooklyn in the first round of the preseason NIT multi-team event at Barclays Center. The Panthers will take on Florida at 9:30 p.m. The Gators have started out the year strong as well, winning in blowout fashion over Loyola Maryland, Florida A&M, and Florida State. Their one loss came by three points to Virginia.
For Carrington, this will be his first chance to make a statement on the big stage. The game will be on one of ESPN’s networks and will take place in an NBA arena. While he has played in the Philadelphia 76ers stadium before in his career, he is still excited for the opportunity to play where the pros do.
“Really excited, really excited,” Carrington said about Wednesday night’s game. “It’s something I want to do in the future, so why not do it now? I’m excited for it. Nervous, excited, whatever. I’m ready to face it, for sure.”
