Pitt’s basketball staff has a chance to make a big splash this week.
The staff has been recruiting four-star guard Derek Dixon out of Gonzaga College High School for more than two years now. Pitt has hosted Dixon for an official visit as well as several unofficial visits. Now, this week, Dixon will make a verbal commitment to a school. He is choosing between Pitt, North Carolina, Virginia, and Vanderbilt.
On Friday, Sept. 27, Dixon will commit to a school live on 247 Sports’ YouTube channel.
Dixon has developed a strong relationship with Pitt head coach Jeff Capel, associate head coach Milan Brown, and the rest of the staff over more than two years since they began recruiting him.
The Pitt staff is working hard to land Dixon, as showcased by Capel and Brown’s trip to D.C. to see him weeks ago on the same day that he cancelled his visit to Arizona.
Ranked as the No. 51 player in the nation by 247 Sports, Dixon, if he were to commit to Pitt, would become the highest-ranked player to commit to Capel since he took over the Pitt head coaching position. The title of Capel’s highest-ranked commitment is currently owned by Dior Johnson, who finished No. 53 overall in 247 Sports’ class-of-2022 rankings. Johnson never appeared in a game for Pitt after being suspended in his freshman season. He spent last year at Clarendon College (JUCO), and is now at UCF playing in the Big 12.
Then came Papa Amadou Kante, who was ranked as the No. 74 player in the 2023 class, Jaland Lowe, who was ranked No. 89, and Bub Carrington, who was ranked No. 91 in his high-school class.
Prior to Johnson and that loaded 2023 group, the record was previously held by Trey McGowens, who ranked as the No. 95 player in the 2019 class. John Hugley is near the top as well, as he was the No. 99 player in 247’s 2020 composite rankings.
Dixon has visited Pitt three times — twice for unofficial visits and once for an official.
Pitt currently has one player verbally committed in the class of 2025. Weeks ago, the Panthers earned a commitment from Omari Witherspoon, a 6-foot-4 guard out of St. John’s College High School, also in Washington D.C.
George,
You have done a great job creating awareness and excitement about PITT basketball recruiting! I am excited to hear Derek Dixon say PITT on Friday. A recruiting win with Derek Dixon would be a huge step in PITT’s return to basketball prominence.
Indeed, Dixon is a highly prized Combo guard, who by many accounts is a pure shooter.
He can control the tempo of the game, with his ball handling, in addition to his play off-wing. H2P!