I knew Pitt had a lot of players getting some off-season surgery, but I didn’t know it was this many.
[Pitt Coach Jamie] Dixon, who has three players out with surgeries and at least five others recovering from previous surgeries or nagging injuries, said the changes to NCAA rules also played a part in the decision.
“The rules have changed to where you could only have two players from one college team on each of the summer league teams,” Dixon said. “That sort of made it difficult with only so many Division I players available to have the kind of competitive league you are looking for.
“Hopefully, it is something we can revisit for next year, but, for this year, it just didn’t seem like it was going to be able to work out.”
Josh Newkirk earlier followed by James Robinson and incoming transfer, Sterling Smith, recently had off-season surgies.
The upshot is that Pitt pulled out of participating in the Pittsburgh Basketball Club Summer Pro-Am, and the loss of Pitt led to an abrupt and disappointing cancellation of the Pro-Am.
“This is really a shame for the fans and the people who came out to watch the league and loved it,” [Club President John] Giammarco said. “But the reality is, the showcase program in town is Pitt and, because of a roster shortage and injuries, they basically took their ball and ran home, and that sent this into a tailspin.
“I understand it, but, at the same time, I have a hard time with the idea that you let seven or eight players affect a whole lot of other players who wanted to play. I can tell you that the disappointment from fans and some players and the feedback I am getting is best described as toxic.”
I get that Pitt is a centerpiece of the Pro-Am, but I am mildly surprised the whole thing collapsed. It’s not like ticket sales paid for this. The Pro-Am had no problem when WVU had to pull out for a year.
The problem is that WVU pulled out earlier, and Robert Morris was limited because night classes for players over the summer conflicted with the schedule. Essentially, the Pro-Am was rather shaky this year and Pitt’s inability to participate was the final straw.
“The league had a great run. It’s a blow to the basketball community in Western Pennsylvania,” Giammarco said. “Pitt is banged up. When you lose the Pitt players, you lose a lot of support.
“You’ve got wobbly wheels without Pitt.”
I’m not privy to how it works completely, but the fallout is that the Pro-Am appears kaput for good.
Giammarco has put a lot of time, blood and effort into doing work for basketball in Western Pennsylvania — and especially the Pro-Am every year. He feels more than a little betrayed by Dixon letting him know this late that Pitt would not participate.
“Pitt has so many injuries, but this isn’t the way you do things, a few days before it starts,” Giammarco said. “I stared working on this last October, securing dates and gyms. This isn’t something I pulled together last week.”
A total of eight teams were scheduled to play at Montour High School. Giammarco, who also operates a high school summer league, said he will step down as Pro-Am director.
“I’m sure somebody else will try to do it,” Giammarco said. “We had an amazing run. It’s time for somebody else to take the baton. I’ve done all I can.”
Losing Giammarco to run the Pro-Am is a big blow. It will be tough to find someone else willing to do the work.
From the Pitt/Dixon side of things, it seems that the fact that players were recovering from injuries slower than expected forced the decision at this late a time. Considering Dixon has been a big proponent and supporter (as much as NCAA rules can allow) of the Pro-Am, I am certain he did not want to see it shut down.
In other stuff, there seems to be some sort of hold-up on graduate transfer Rafael Maia.
Dixon said he thinks they are all issues that can be worked through but as of right now he isn’t able to enroll. This would be a big blow for the Panthers as he is expected to be a serious candidate to start at center but again, there is still plenty of time to get the issues resolved.
It is reportedly academic related. Raise your hand if you thought that a transfer from Brown University would have the problems as opposed to Richmond or Coppin State. Liar.
Former Pitt center Ontario Lett was coaching in the JUCO ranks, including new Panther Rozelle Nix. It has been an open rumor that is now confirmed. Lett is joining Pitt’s staff as a graduate assistant.
Former Panthers player Ontario Lett has been hired as a Graduate Assistant coach. Lett has a great personality, he has been coaching at the junior college that produced Rozelle Nix (Pensacola State JC) and Dixon said he will work primarily with the big men. So this should provide a nice boost for the coaching staff as Lett will be a good ambassador for the program and a good mentor for the players.
Well, I didn’t think he’d be coaching up the guards.
Pitt’s schedule is usually late in coming and this year is no exception. It is known that Pitt has the game in Japan against Gonzaga to open the season. They play Davidson at MSG in the Gotham Classic. There’s the City Game with Duquesne, and Pitt hosts Purdue in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
Pitt is trying to secure a major conference home-and-home game. The opportunity should be there if Pitt is willing to play on the road this year. It would also make sense from the perspective of next year Pitt will be on the road for the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. This would set them up for a major conference foe at the Pete for three straight years.