Pitt freshman guard Bub Carrington announced his decision to enter the 2024 NBA Draft at a press conference on Wednesday.
Carrington played for one season with the Panthers in 2023-24, serving as one of the best freshman in the country. He started 33 games for Pitt as a rookie, averaging 13.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. The Baltimore, Md. native shot 41% from the field and 32% from three-point range in his freshman campaign, and alongside fellow guards in freshman Jaland Lowe and junior Ishmael Leggett, starred for the Panthers in the back court.
The announcement isn’t too surprising, as NBA mock drafts have had Carrington in and around the First Round throughout the year. Still, Carrington did say he would stay at Pitt for his sophomore season following the ACC Tournament Semifinals loss to North Carolina on March 15.
Carrington had some incredible moments in his sole season with the Panthers. He scored a season high 27 points in a blowout win on the road against Boston College, shooting 10-for-18 from the field and making seven of his 12 attempts from behind the arc. He also dropped 24 points in a win against Wake Forest at home on Jan. 31 and in the loss to UNC in the ACC Tournament.
His best game came in his first ever collegiate contest against North Carolina A&T, where he scored 18 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and dished out 10 assists for a triple-double. It is just the fifth triple-double in program history and was the first in 25 years. Carrington also joined Pitt legends in DeJuan Blair and Sean Miller as one of three players to record a triple-double in their freshman debut.
He is just the second Pitt player to announce for the draft after one season, with five-star center Steven Adams doing so in 2013. Adams ended up an NBA Draft lottery pick, landing with the Oklahoma City Thunder at the No. 12 pick.
Carrington’s departure means that Leggett and Lowe are the two sole returning guards ahead of next season. Brandin Cummings, brother of former Pitt guard Nelly Cummings and Lincoln Park Class of 2024 commit, will make it three guards on the team next season.
Absolutely the right move.
🥲 Sad day for Pitt fans. I wish nothing but the best for the kid. What a season. We Pitt fans are just greedy, wanting to see more of him. Congrats and good luck Bub! H2P! Basketball 🏀
Not sad at all. I selfishly wanted him to return, but this is best for him and the program. Recruits will see they can get to the NBA early from Pitt and want to follow. They are solid at Guard with Ish and Lowe, plus young Brandon Cummings inbound. Use the scholarship wisely, and the team can grow,
He was fun to watch this year. Good luck to him.
I am wondering if the announcement coming this early will help with any portal targets. I am sure there are some that may consider or move Pitt higher up the list now that Carrington will not be back and create that go to shooting/point guard position.
Better yet, perhaps it will get the 5 star kid from Lincoln HS to commit to Pitt. Back to back State titles with Cummings.
Big mistake. If he makes an NBA roster he won’t play much. Might get stuck in the g league for a while. Wish him the best but he’s not really that good.
You’re right, 13 ppg isn’t great by any means. And he took the 2nd most shots on the team to even average that 13 ppg. And he’s not good enough with 3’s to make it in the NBA. Nor does he finish at the rim very good. He’ll be another Champagnie.
I’m starting to come around to Rob Radich’s thinking – some of you guys really are stupid.
The NBA is not looking at his stats. They are seeing his athleticism, his skills and potential. Y’all are short sighted. He may take a year or two to blossom, but he has all the tools to be a star
As a Spurs fan in San Antonio, draft him to play with Wemby and watch out!
41% fg merits NBA these days ? A lot worse from 3. Which is one of the reasons the NBA is basically unwatchable. Pro’s are supposed to be finished products, not developmental projects. He needs more time in college, obviously.
The last thing an NBA team wants to draft is a finished product. Teams want raw talent that has room to grow and a high ceiling. That’s exactly what Bub Carrington is. He’s the t perfect late 1st round pick for a team that doesn’t need an impact player immediately.
Well , here we go again! Better the NBA than Kentucky, Duke or N. Carolina!