A Pitt basketball fan favorite is sticking with the program.
Former Pitt basketball guard KJ Marshall has joined the Pitt basketball staff as a graduate manager, a source within the program told Pittsburgh Sports Now.
Marshall began his career at Pitt in 2019-20 as a walk-on, playing in six games and scoring two points in his first stint as a Panther. He then spent time playing for Garden City Community College in the 2020-21 season, averaging six points and 4.6 assists per game and shooting 29.6% from the field. After playing for Garden City, Marshall went to Mars Hill University for one season. He then rejoined the Panthers ahead of the 2022-23 season, walking onto the team once again. In the past two seasons, he has appeared in 16 games, hitting one field goal and scoring a total of eight points.
Pitt’s Jeff Capel Puts Former Walk-On KJ Marshall on Scholarship
Back in January, Marshall told the story of how he learned he was on scholarship.
“A few days ago, I hurt my hand pretty bad, like a minor fracture so I wasn’t really practicing much. But I knew that we needed a different look for Louisville, so I just told DA to wrap my hand extra so I could participate and try to simulate some of the things that the Louisville guards do. I was out there just trying to be as energetic as I could, just trying to be me every single day…”
“…So, after practice, coach sits us down, and he’s teaching us like a life story about just trying to be unselfish and just providing anything you can to help the team win. And, when we go to break the huddle down, he’s like, Jaland, go break the huddle down. Before J-Lowe starts, he starts telling the guys about how each and every single day I come bring a spark and try to be as unselfish as I can in the role that I have, and just about how he appreciates the day-to-day things that I do. Honestly, I wasn’t listening too much, I was in the back playing around. And J-Lowe breaks the huddle down, so I went to put my hand up, and he was like, ‘Oh, by the way, KJ you’re on scholarship.”
“I really didn’t hear it at first, I’m just, ahhh. Then I realized what he said, and I was like, ‘Ohhh. I’m on scholarship, I’ve got to call my mom!’”
Marshall joins the staff led by head coach Jeff Capel. Pitt’s assistant coach group includes associate head coaches Tim O’Toole and Milan Brown, Jason Capel, chief of staff Kyle Cieplicki, and director of player and alumni development Gilbert Brown. Billy Hubly is the staff’s assistant AD of scouting, Brian Regan is the director of basketball operations, Vincent Williams is the strength and conditioning coach, Daniel Anthony is the athletic trainer, Robert Blose is the assistant director of recruiting and video, and Beth Schoedel is an administrative assistant.