On Thursday, Pitt basketball announced that small forward Jorge Diaz Graham underwent season-ending surgery on his left ankle.
“Jorge is a big part of our program and plays with infectious energy and enthusiasm,” head coach Jeff Capel said in a release. “The ankle was really limiting his mobility and holding him back from playing to his capabilities. Our medical team has done a great job identifying and correcting the issue and will be integral in helping him through the recovery process. Having the surgery now helps provide Jorge with additional recovery time as he works his way back onto the court for the 2024-25 season.”
Diaz Graham appeared in 16 games off the bench this year, averaging just over ten minutes per game. He made 16 of his 44 attempts from the field, including nine of his 31 three-point tries (29%). Diaz Graham averaged 3.5 points per game, and grabbed 40 rebounds on the season. He had 12 assists and 11 turnovers on the year.
As a freshman in 2022-23, Diaz Graham averaged 3.1 points per game, appearing in 31 games and starting once. He hit 12 of his 34 three-point attempts as a rookie (35%). He played ten minutes in Pitt’s NCAA Tournament game against Iowa State, scoring two points and grabbing five rebounds. Against Xavier, he had seven points.
Pitt began the season with _ scholarship players. The Panthers have now lost Papa Amadou Kante (injury – out for year), Dior Johnson (dismissed from program), Mike Huiett Jr. (left program), and Diaz Graham (injury – out for year). With former walk-on KJ Marshall now on scholarship, Pitt now has ten available scholarship players. That number includes Marlon Barnes Jr., who is currently red-shirting his freshman season.
Pitt (15-8, 6-6 ACC) will face Virginia next on Tuesday. Feb. 13 at 7 p.m.
