Pitt basketball wing Marlon Barnes Jr., via George Michalowski
OFFSEASON NEWS: Barnes redshirted his first year in Pittsburgh, spending time improving his game in practice behind Pitt’s strong wing group led by Blake Hinson.
The Panthers have a crowded group at the wing spot this year once again, led by Zack Austin, Amsal Delalic, and Jorge Diaz Graham. Damian Dunn, a 6-foot-5, is listed as a wing and can handle the ball like a point guard, but could also see time next to Jaland Lowe and Ishmael Leggett, two projected starting guards. It will be up to Barnes to earn playing time amongst the crowded room.
Before leaving the ACC Tournament last year in Washington, D.C., I caught up with Barnes to talk about his year as a redshirt. Check out the interview here or at the link below.
Pitt is heading into year seven of the Jeff Capel-era, coming off a second-straight 20-win season. The Panthers finished last year 22-11, but said goodbye to stars Bub Carrington (Washington Wizards) and Blake Hinson (Golden State Warriors) as they went off to the professional level. In addition, the Panthers said goodbye to Federiko Federiko (Texas Tech) and William Jeffress (Louisiana Tech), as both players transferred out this past spring. Pitt returns key players Jaland Lowe, Ishmael Leggett, and Zack Austin, among others. The staff also brought in a talented group of newcomers, headlined by transfers Cam Corhen (Florida State) and Damian Dunn (Houston) as well as freshmen Brandin “Beebah” Cummings, Amdy Ndiaye, and Delalic.