Pitt target Omari Witherspoon will commit to a school later on Wednesday live on 247 Sports’ YouTube channel.
Witherspoon will commit at 5:30 p.m. est. between Pitt, Maryland, and Vanderbilt.
In an interview with 247’s Dushawn London, Witherspoon broke down his relationship with the Pitt staff, specifically, Jeff Capel and Milan Brown.
“I love the coaching staff,” he told London. “Coach Capel and all the coaches are really genuine. I really like their play style and what they do. They spread the floor out, set ball screens, and allow their guards to play confidently. Coach Brown is also a good mentor. He helps players get out of slumps and he has a father trait. It’s great seeing he has that trait where he can build somebody back up.”
Witherspoon is one of seven prospects that currently has Pitt in their top-school lists. The three-star prospect (247 Sports) is the lowest-rated of the bunch according to 247 Sports. The other prospects with Pitt in their top-school lists are listed here: Meleek Thomas, Isaiah Denis, Nikola Bundalo, Amari Evans, Davion Hannah, and Derek Dixon.
The Saint John’s College Prep prospect received an offer from the Panthers’ staff in July, included Pitt in his top ten, visited Pitt, and then, finally, included the program in his top three. To gauge Witherspoon’s top three and see where Pitt stands, I caught up with MADE Hoops and 247 Sports scout Colby Giacubeno, who is the leading source for recruiting information in the DMV area. Giacubeno logged a crystal ball pick for Witherspoon to choose Pitt, and explained why on The Pittsburgh Basketball Show on Tuesday.
“In terms of, is this a completely done deal? Not sure. But, my thing is, the Maryland visit definitely left a huge impression on him,” Giacubeno said. “Then, he went down to Vanderbilt, and they have DMV ties within the staff down there with Xavier Joyner. He’s going to do a great job, there is going to be DMV guys going down to Vanderbilt if not this year, in the following years for sure. I think the appeal with Vanderbilt was, again, “We’re a new staff, it’s a new culture, we can give you the ball to initiate our offense and you’re going to be a dynamic defender. It’s the SEC. I know that caught Omari’s attention…
“…And then he went to Pitt,” Giacubeno continued. “And I think where Pitt has a leg up is, obviously, the proof is in the pudding with what they did with Bub. Jaland Lowe is a name you’re seeing on draft boards already. I think it’s expected for him to have a big year. You take those two freshmen guards who came in with each other, had a ton of opportunity, experience, and now they are getting chances at the highest levels. That’s appealing to Omari….”
“You look at Pitt, and the opportunities that could arise from that. Plus, their plan that already played out in front of everybody. I just think their pitch is a little stronger, and that’s why I submitted a crystal ball for Pitt.”
