Brandin Cummings Looking For One Last Title Before Putting on Pitt Threads

As Pitt men’s basketball went into hostile territory and snapped No. 21 Virginia’s 23-game home unbeaten streak, a future Panther watched closely.

Brandin “Beebah” Cummings was the first commit in the Pitt class of 2024 over a year ago. He has since monitored his future program in part because his brother, Nelly, leading the Panthers to their first March Madness appearance since 2016 last spring.

This season, his connection has grown with the program as he’s itching to start his journey on campus.

“I love Pitt,” Cummings said. “I’ve been a huge Pitt guy for obviously the last two years. I can’t wait to get up there. Those guys are already like my brothers. I’m already close with everybody up there.”

Even with Nelly finishing his collegiate career with the Panthers, he provides his younger brother with the necessary knowledge that will give Brandin a head start before he gets to Oakland.

“Every day, he texts me,” Brandin said. “He’s familiar with the program, so he always let’s me know where I can go in and be effective. He really wants the best for me. I’m lucky to have somebody like him. He was the starting point guard on the team that went to March Madness and won a few games, so he knows what coach Capel is looking for, so he tries his best to make sure I’m doing the right things.”

As Nelly lets his brother know what Jeff Capel wants, the Panthers coach has made several short trips to see Brandin play, including at the Pittsburgh Holiday Hoops Classic against North Catholic and on Feb. 10 when the Leopards took on Imani Christian Academy at North Allegheny.

Pitt head coach Jeff Capel in attendance to watch Pitt commit and Lincoln Park guard Brandin Cummings. pic.twitter.com/UGCDeO2f7B

— Ethan Morrison (@EthanMorrison26) December 28, 2023

“It shows me that he’s all in on me,” Cummings said. “It lets me know that he really wants me to be up there. I’m thankful that he shows up and supports me in person.”

Before Brandin puts on his Pitt threads, there is still work to be done at his current home as Lincoln Park looks to repeat as WPIAL champions.

Lincoln Park is riding an unblemished 12-0 Section 2-4A record and 19-3 overall mark into the postseason with Cummings pacing the Leopards at 23.7 points per game.

A quick 6-0 run has given Lincoln Park a 30-25 lead over Imani Christian with 5:29 left in the first half. Brandin Cummings has 15 points, including this latest dunk. pic.twitter.com/8K98jborlE

— Brad Everett (@BREAL412) February 11, 2024

While there might be a target on the back of Lincoln Park, Cummings says it hasn’t made much of a difference for this year’s team.

“It’s been a really fun experience being on a team this good knowing what our ceiling is,” Cummings said. “We go out and play basketball and know we’ve got each other’s back’s.”

Cummings knows there is a challenging road ahead of them if they want to claim a second consecutive district crown, and the mindset is simple.

“Win. That’s it,” Cummings said. “No matter how we win, no matter how many points we win by, no matter who scores the most points, we just want to win. We don’t care who it is, what their record is, who they played before us, we just want to win.”

As the top seed a year ago, Lincoln Park defeated North Catholic 78-68. This time around, Cummings is hoping for much of the same to play one last WPIAL game on his future hardwood.

“I do want to get there and put on a show for Pitt and for Pittsburgh.”