Pitt Basketball
2024 Timeline: Tracking the Biggest Moments of Pitt’s Offseason So Far
Pitt has had an excellent offseason as a program, adding several players to the roster, boosting the program culture, and more.
As the Panthers are now off on a break before the season kicks into high gear soon, I felt it’d be a good time to look back at the biggest moments of Pitt’s offseason, starting with what most would call the low point of the offseason.
NCAA TOURNAMENT MISSED, NIT INVITATION DECLINED
This one is self-explanatory. The Panthers thought they deserved a shot at the 2024 NCAA Tournament after finishing the season in fourth place in the ACC and 22-11 overall. However, their name was not called on Selection Sunday, and shortly after, the team declined an invitation to the NIT.
Pitt Declines NIT Invitation, Marking Conclusion of 2023-24 Season
PORTAL SEASON BEGINS
Pitt’s Will Jeffress and Federiko Federiko both entered the transfer portal shortly after the season concluded.
BUB DECLARES, JALAND AND ISH STAY
Bub Carrington declared for the NBA Draft in a press conference at the Petersen Events Center back in early April, several weeks after the season’s end.
Shortly after, fellow guard Jaland Lowe announced that he would return to Pitt for his sophomore season. Then, Ishmael Leggett did the same.
Pitt’s Ishmael Leggett Returning for Senior Season with Panthers
HUGE VISIT WEEKEND GOES WELL
Pitt hosted three recruits for official visits in mid-April: Derek Dixon (HS), Damian Dunn (transfer), and Cam Corhen (transfer). Days later, Pitt earned Dunn and Corhen’s verbal commitments to join the program.
Corhen, the former Florida State Seminole, torched the Panthers last year at the Petersen Events Center.
An Evaluation of What Pitt Basketball is Adding in Transfer Forward Cam Corhen
HINSON, BUB SHINE AT PRO EVENTS
Blake Hinson was invited to the G League Elite Camp in Chicago, while Bub Carrington competed in the NBA Combine. Both turned in solid performances at their respective events.
WATCH: Pitt’s Bub Carrington Off to an Elite Start at NBA Combine
WELCOME, DELALIC
Pitt welcomed a Bosnian freshman by the name of Amsal Delalic in mid-May. After visiting, Delalic decided to commit to the Panthers.
The 6-foot-7 rookie is now 21 years old heading into his first season of college hoops.
WHOLE SQUAD ARRIVES
Nearly a month after his commitment, Delalic arrived on campus, marking the entire team’s arrival in the Steel City ahead of the team’s summer workouts.
Pitt Basketball Guard Amsal Delalic Arrives: Entire Team Now On Campus
DRAFT DAY
Bub Carrington became Jeff Capel’s first NBA Draft pick as Pitt head coach, going 14th overall to the Washington Wizards.
Pitt Guard Bub Carrington Drafted in First Round by Washington Wizards
Blake Hinson went undrafted but signed with the Lakers almost immediately after the draft ended.
SUMMER LEAGUE
Carrington and Hinson both caught fire the moment they stepped onto NBA courts for the first time in this year’s Summer League slate.
WATCH: Former Pitt Star Blake Hinson Catches Fire in First NBA Game
Bub Carrington, Justin Champagnie Explode for 37 Points in Wizards Game
In addition, former Panther Justin Champagnie, heading into his third season of pro ball, also shined for the Washington Wizards alongside Carrington and others.
Mo Gueye also competed in the Summer League for the Charlotte Hornets.
VEGAS TRIP
Pitt’s staff went out to Las Vegas in between recruiting trips to visit with the Panthers in the Pros who were competing in the NBA Summer League: Carrington, Champagnie, Gueye, and Hinson.
CAPEL EXTENDED
Pitt announced that head coach Jeff Capel will be the coach of the men’s basketball program through at least the 2029-30 season with a three-year extension.
ZOO CREW MAKES A RUN
Pitt’s alumni team, Zoo Crew, competed in the Basketball Tournament. The team, led by Nike Sibande, Jamel Artis, Mike Young, Nelly Cummings, and others (and put together by GM Gilbert Brown) won several thrilling games in front of Pitt’s home crowd at the Petersen Events Center, while the current team and staff watched closely.
Nelly Cummings, Nike Sibande Return to Pitt: ‘We Built a Family Here’
OSU GAME ANNOUNCED
Pitt’s non-conference schedule has been coming together throughout the summer, and is still not finalized. However, one game was finalized this past month: the Ohio State matchup. Pitt will travel to Columbus to take on the Buckeyes in November.
CAPEL JOINS THE MEDIA
Last but not least — Jeff Capel joined the media weeks ago to recap the offseason and talk about his new team and the program’s culture.
Check out the press conference here. Watch PSN’s exclusive interview with Capel here.
