SEASON PREVIEW

Season Preview, 12-15 Pitt Preseason Storylines, 12 What Pitt Returns in 2013-14, 13 2014-15 Pitt Roster, 16 SEASON PREVIEW 2014-15 PITT SEASON PREVIEW

Three starters, 12 returning letterwinners will anchor a Pitt program that has advanced to the NCAA Tournament 12 times in the last 13 seasons Expectations have not changed To build upon that sustained for Pitt Basketball as the Panthers success for Pitt, three starters and will enter the 2014-15 season 12 letterwinners are back, along following a successful first year in with six of the team’s top eight the Atlantic Coast Conference. The scorers, eight of its top-10 2013-14 season saw the Panthers letterwinners, 59 percent of its post a successful 26-10 overall scoring, 68 percent of its - record, finish in fifth place in ACC ing, 69 percent of its regular season play with an 11-7 production and 69 percent of its record, make a strong run in its minutes played in 2013-14. first-ever ACC Tournament and earn Pitt’s three returning starters— a 12th NCAA Tournament appear- senior guard Cameron Wright, ance in the last 13 years. That junior point guard James Robinson success is certainly nothing new for and sophomore power forward a Pitt Basketball program that has Michael Young return with a compiled one of the nation’s top-five combined 151 career starts. Those best winning percentages (.765, three players will provide leader- 345-106) over the past 13 seasons ship, scoring and balance to the (2001-14), emerged as one of only squad. seven schools nationwide to At off-guard, Wright is Pitt’s top advance to the NCAA Tournament in returning scorer (10.5 ppg.) who 12 of the last 13 years and totaled a was honored with the ACC’s Skip 152-70 league record which ranks Prosser Award which goes to the second in the ACC over the last 13 league’s top scholar-athlete in men’s seasons (2001-14). basketball. The aggressive, athletic

PITT’S PRESEASON STORYLINES

 Pitt Basketball enters its second season in the Atlantic Coast Confer- ence. Pitt’s will play one of the league’s most demanding schedules as it plays two games apiece against both Syracuse and Louisville. Pitt’s 2014-15 ACC schedule includes home games against Boston College, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Miami, North Carolina, Notre Dame and Syracuse.  Pitt begins its quest for a 13th NCAA Tournament appearance in the last 14 seasons and its 14th straight season with 20 or more victories.  Youthful Pitt returns three starters, eight of its top 10 scorers, 59 percent of its overall scoring, 68 percent of its rebounding, 69 percent of its assist production and 69 percent of its minutes played.  Pitt ranks among the nation’s top-5 programs in winning percentage (.765, 345-106) over the last 14 years. During that span, Pitt has made one NCAA Elite Eight appearance and five Sweet Sixteen appearances, captured six league titles and has advanced to 12 of the last 13 NCAA Tournaments. Combining the last 13 years, Pitt also owns the ACC’s second-best league regular season record (152-70) and conference Senior Cameron Wright enters his final collegiate season at Pitt. The ACC’s 2014 Skip Prosser Award winning percentage (.685) when comparing conference teams. winner averaged 10.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.  Jamie Dixon enters his 12th season as Pitt’s head coach with a 288-96 overall record. His 288 victories rank as the fourth highest win total in NCAA Division I history after the first 11 seasons as a head coach. A and competitive Wright reached Junior small forward Durand four-time national coach of the year recipient, Dixon is the first coach in double figure scoring in 20 contests Johnson (8.8 ppg./22 3-pointers in school history to guide Pitt to eight straight NCAA Tournaments, 11 last year and has started 47 career 16 GP) will make a highly antici- consecutive 20-win seasons and 10 10-plus win seasons in the last 11 games. He will provide leadership pated return to the squad after he years in league play. He also currently ranks as the winningest coach in and scoring. Pitt’s point guard, suffered a season-ending ACL injury Big East Conference history (league games only) and is among the Robinson has started 68 of his 69 midway through the 2013-14 nation’s top-8 winningest active coaches by percentage. career games at Pitt. A Bob Cousy season. Johnson’s return gives Pitt  Jamie Dixon enters the 2014-15 season play with a combined 27-10 overall record against other ACC programs. Award finalist, Robinson dished out a confident, energetic and dynamic  Pitt will play a difficult non-conference schedule. It will compete in its 148 assists, ranked No. 6 nationally scorer and shooter. Guard Josh first-ever Maui Invitational from Nov. 24-26. Pitt plays host Chaminade on with a school-record 4.11 Newkirk (4.6 ppg./61 assists) and Nov. 24, then will matchup against either San Diego State or BYU in assist:turnover ratio and averaged forward Jamel Artis (4.9 ppg./2.9 game two. Arizona, Kansas State, Missouri and Purdue are possible third 7.6 points per game in 2013-14. At rpg.) both are back after providing round opponents. Pitt will also travel to Indiana for its ACC/Big Ten power forward, Young is back after key depth off the bench as Challenge matchup on Dec. 2. The non-conference slate also features a a productive freshman season that freshmen last year. Newkirk is an road game at Hawaii and contests against Oakland, Florida Gulf Coast, saw him average 6.0 points and 4.1 ultra-quick guard who adds speed St. Bonaventure, Manhattan and Holy Cross.  All 32 Pitt Basketball games will be televised in 2014-15. Pitt is slated to rebounds per game with starts in all and quickness to the backcourt, play 13 games on national television in 2013-14. Overall, Pitt will appear 36 games. Young will be counted while Artis can play a variety of on national or regional television (RSN or ACC Network) 26 times. upon to provide scoring and positions and provides athleticism, rebounding up front. size, talent and shooting ability.

12 2014-15 PITT BASKETBALL SEASON PREVIEW

WHAT PITT RETURNS IN 2014-15

Category Percent Returning Last year’s starters: ...... 60% (3 of 5) Last year’s total starts: ...... 61% (109 of 180) Team’s top-10 in minutes played: ...... 80% (8of 10) Total minutes played: ...... 69.5% (5091 of 7325) Points scored: ...... 58.6% (1516 of 2586) Field goals made: ...... 59.6% (533 of 895) attempts: ...... 62.3% (1213 of 1944) 3-point FG made: ...... 56.3% (103 of 183) 3-point FG attempts: ...... 60.1% (314 of 522) Free throws made: ...... 56.6% (347 of 613) attempts: ...... 56.3% (485 of 861) Offensive rebounds: ...... 65.3% (282 of 432) Defensive rebounds: ...... 62.2% (534 of 859) Total rebounds: ...... 67.9% (876 of 1291) Personal fouls: ...... 73.7% (457 of 620) Assists: ...... 69.2% (390 of 563) Turnovers: ...... 61.1% (226 of 373) Blocked Shots: ...... 61.7% (66 of 107) Steals: ...... 71.2% (181 of 254)

UPPER LEFT: Sophomore Jamel Artis will be expected to provide an offensive spark for the Panthers in 2014-15.

UPPER RIGHT: Sophomore Michael Young started all 36 games last year at power forward. The Duquesne, Pa. native will provide Pitt production with his all-around game.

MIDDLE: Teamwork has been a staple at Pitt through the years. This season, Pitt returns eight of its top-10 scorers from a deep squad.

ABOVE: Senior Derrick Randall provided an offensive and defensive spark off the bench at both power forward and center last year. He has played in 93 career collegiate games.

LEFT: Returnees Aron Phillips-Nwankwo, Chris Jones, Josh Newkirk, Derrick Randall and Michael Young will all play key roles for the Panthers in 2014-15.

13 SEASON PREVIEW 2014-15 PITT BASKETBALL

Senior forward Derrick Randall (2.1 junior Durand Johnson averaged ppg./2.4 rpg.) will provide energy 8.8 points and 3.0 rebounds per and depth in the frontcourt, game. The energetic and exciting sophomore Chris Jones (2.4 ppg./ Johnson is best known for his 30 GP) gives Pitt stability in the spurts of instant offense off the backcourt at several different bench. Johnson’s size at 6-6 makes positions and 6-foot-10-inch center him a small forward, but his skill set Joseph Uchebo, who is coming off a allows him to play from on the successful summer, has the ability perimeter, where he converted 22 to give the Panthers quality minutes 3-pointers in limited action last year. in the post. Senior Derrick Randall is in his Four newcomers also join the Pitt final season at Pitt after transferring roster led by Vanderbilt transfer from Rutgers prior to the 2013-14 Sheldon Jeter (5.5 ppg./3.4 rpg. in season. Randall, who saw action in 2012-13), who adds talent, all 36 games, averaged 2.1 points experience and length in the and 2.4 rebounds, served as a low- frontcourt. Junior college transfer post backup at both power forward Tyrone Haughton along with true and center last year. He adds size, freshmen Cameron Johnson and strength, energy and physical play Ryan Luther will have the opportu- at both positions. nity to see playing time. Sophomore Jamel Artis is back Gone are two graduated fifth-year after playing in all 36 games off the seniors in Lamar Patterson and Talib bench as a freshman in 2013-14. Zanna. Patterson, who led the Artis, who provided a much-needed Panthers in both scoring (17.1 offensive punch off the bench (4.9 ppg.) and assists (154) last year, ppg.), gives Pitt a talented was a consensus second team All- performer who adds versatility, size, ACC performer and three-time ACC athleticism and passing ability at Player of the Week. Patterson, who either the power or small forward became just the third player in position. Look for Artis to make an school history to surpass 1,000 even greater impact this year. points, 500 rebounds and 400 Redshirt sophomore Chris Jones assists in a career, was a second emerged as a small forward or off round NBA Draft pick who was guard replacement last year in 30 traded to the Atlanta Hawks on draft games off the bench. With his high day. A power forward, Zanna led basketball IQ, versatility and multiple Pitt in both rebounding (8.6 rpg.) skillset, Jones gives Pitt a variety of and field goal percentage (.586) and options again in 2014-15. also averaged 13.0 points per Redshirt senior Aron Nwankwo game. An All-ACC honorable enters his fourth and final season as mention pick and All-ACC Tourna- a Panther. With his high energy, ment First Team selection last year, athleticism, and rebounding ability, Zanna also had a productive career Nwankwo adds depth at forward. as he scored more than 1,000 Two new players—sophomore points and grabbed 800-plus Vanderbilt transfer Sheldon Jeter rebounds during his tenure. and freshman Ryan Luther— will The following is a position-by- also play key roles. Jeter, who position look at the 2014-15 Pitt played high school basketball at Panthers: Beaver Falls H.S., returns to the area after a one-year stint at FORWARDS Vanderbilt, where he averaged 5.5 Pitt returns plenty of players and points and 3.4 rebounds per game lineup options to fill the void left by as a freshman in 2012-13. He sat graduated senior post Talib Zanna. out this past year due to NCAA At power forward, sophomore transfer rules and will enjoy three Michael Young returns after a highly remaining years of eligibility at Pitt. successful freshman season that An athletic 6-8 wing, Jeter can play saw him start all 36 games, average multiple positions, shoot 3-pointers 6.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per (39.1 percent as a freshman) and game and lead the Panthers in free slash to the rim. throw shooting (81.7 percent). On Another local product, Luther offense, the versatile 6-9 Young was named the Class 4A Pennsylva- presents a matchup problem for the nia State Player of the Year after the opposition. Against taller, more 6-9 forward averaged 22.2 points, physical opponents, Young can step outside and use his quickness to create scoring opportunities and ABOVE: Jamel Artis, Josh Newkirk and Durand against smaller, quicker players, he Johnson all return to Pitt in 2014-15. All three wil can post up down low. Young’s be counted upon to provide production in the ability to increase his production will coming season. be a key component to the 2014-15 RIGHT: Junior Durand Johnson returns from an Panthers’ season. ACL injury that sidelined him for the majority of Despite seeing action in only 16 the 2013-14 season. He saw action in 16 games games last year before a knee injury last year, averaged 8.8 points and 3.0 rebounds prematurely ended his season, and hit 22 3-pointers before the injury. 14 2014-15 PITT BASKETBALL SEASON PREVIEW

seven rebounds during his senior and junior James Robinson. In UPPER LEFT: The starting backcourt of Cameron season at Hampton H.S. addition, sophomore Josh Newkirk Wright and James Robinson both return to the also is back after a promising 2013- Panthers following a successful 2013-14 season. CENTER 14 season. OTHER PHOTOS: Pitt will get key contributions Junior Joseph Uchebo is the only The 2014 Skip Prosser Award from a variety of players including Cameron true center on Pitt’s roster. At 6- winner honoring the ACC’s top Wright (bottom left), Chris Jones (lower left), feet-10 inches tall, Uchebo provides scholar-athlete for basketball, James Robinson (above), Michael Young (upper Pitt with size, capable hands, Wright returns as Pitt’s top scorer left) and Josh Newkirk (upper right). All five scoring and rebounding ability. at 10.5 points per game. He also players will see action and contribute at their Uchebo, who played in only nine averaged 3.3 rebounds per game, various positions. games last season while recovering led the team in steals (66) and from a knee injury sustained in ranked third on the squad in assists bench as a freshman, giving him junior college, put together an (95) while starting all 36 games. An plenty of experience to make an impressive summer where he athletic, quick and complete player, impact this year. Over the season’s showed much promise in Pitt’s Pro- Wright will serve as the team’s final 10 games, his production Am league. He also averaged 7.5 leader and will be counted upon for increased to 6.4 points and 19.5 points and 12.5 rebounds over productivity both on offense and minutes per game and his best Pitt’s four-game Bahamas Foreign defense. performance was a 20-point game Tour. A two-year starter at point guard, vs. NC State in which he converted Pitt also added 6-9 junior college Robinson owns a career assist-to- all five of his 3-point attempts. transfer Tyrone Haughton. The turnover ratio of 3.43, which would Newkirk will contribute as both a athletic Haughton blocked a school rank him No. 1 in Pitt history. In playmaker and scorer. record 185 shots in two seasons at 2013-14, he had a 4.11 assist-to- Also contributing at guard for the Iowa Western Community College. turnover ratio, which ranked No. 6 Panthers is freshman Cameron He will provide a defensive in the nation and No. 2 the ACC in Johnson, a nearby Moon Township replacement at either center or that category. His dependability product. The 6-7 guard has great power forward. earned him a spot as a finalist for range on his 3-point shot and can Randall should also see time at the Bob Cousy Award (nation’s best slash and finish at the rim, the center position. point guard) and he is the only two- evidenced by his 27.8 points per time international Gold-Medal game average during his senior GUARDS Winner in school history. Look for season. Pitt’s strongest and most Robinson to emerge as a team Jones should also see action at experienced position group lies in leader in 2014-15. off-guard, along with two walk-ons, its backcourt where both starters Quick and athletic, Newkirk (4.6 junior Mike Lecak and sophomore return in senior Cameron Wright ppg.) played in all 36 games off the Joshua Ko.

15 SEASON PREVIEW 2014-15 PITT BASKETBALL 2014-15 ROSTER

NUMERICAL ROSTER

No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Exp. Hometown/Previous School 0 James Robinson G 6-3 198 JR 2L Mitchellville, Md./DeMatha Catholic H.S. 1 Jamel Artis F 6-7 220 SO 1L Baltimore, Md./Notre Dame Prep (Mass.) 2 Michael Young F 6-9 235 SO 1L Duquesne, Pa./St. Benedict’s Prep (N.J.) 3 Cameron Wright G 6-5 205 SR* 3L Cleveland, Ohio/Benedictine H.S. 4 Ryan Luther F 6-9 215 FR HS Gibsonia, Pa./Hampton H.S. 5 Durand Johnson F 6-6 210 JR* 2L Baltimore, Md./Brewster Academy (N.H.)/Lake Clifton H.S. 11 Derrick Randall F 6-9 240 SR 1L Brooklyn, N.Y./Rutgers/South Kent Prep (Conn.) 12 Chris Jones G/F 6-6 213 SO* 1L Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck H.S. 13 Josh Newkirk G 6-1 185 SO 1L Raleigh, N.C./Word of God Academy 15 Aron Phillips-Nwankwo F 6-7.5 215 SR* 3L Baltimore, Md./Baltimore City College 21 Sheldon Jeter F 6-8 225 SO TR Beaver Falls, Pa./Vanderbilt/Beaver Falls H.S. 22 Joshua Ko G 6-1 150 SO 1L Kailua, Hawaii/Kalaheo H.S. 23 Cameron Johnson G 6-7 185 FR HS Moon Township, Pa./Our Lady of the Sacred Heart H.S. 24 Mike Lecak G 6-2 175 JR* 1L Pittsburgh, Pa./Wheeling Jesuit Univ./North Canyon H.S. 44 Tyrone Haughton C 6-9 220 JR TR Miami, Fla./Iowa Western C.C./Dr. Krop H.S. 50 Joseph Uchebo C 6-10 245 JR 1L Enugu, Nigeria/Chipola J.C./Word of God Academy (N.C.) *denotes redshirt year

Head Coach: Jamie Dixon (TCU, 1987), begins 12th Year as Head Coach, 16th year at Pitt, 288-96 overall; Assistant Coach: Brandin Knight (Pitts- burgh, 2005); Assistant Coach: Bill Barton (Salem State, 1989); Assistant Coach: Marlon Williamson (Youngstown State, 2012); Assistant A.D./ Director of Basketball Operations: Brian Regan (Saint Vincent, 1988); Video Coordinator/Director of Analytics: Jason Richards (Davidson, 2008); Graduate Manager: Branden McDonald (Virginia Union, 2011); Graduate Manager: David Hanson (Cal-Poly, 2012); Athletic Trainer: Tony Salesi (Pittsburgh, 1980); Strength & Conditioning Coach: Tim Beltz (Northern Colorado, 1995); Academic Coordinator: Mike Farabaugh (Pittsburgh, 1987); Equipment Manager: Chris Dountas (California, Pa., 2003); Student Managers: Josh Counihan, Chris Gamcik, Caleb Gilbride, Dan Ginsberg, Michael Lindenbaum, Sean Mack, Brennan Moxham, Matt Reilley, Josh Russell-Einhorn, Will Supowitz, John Wallace III; Admin. Assistant: Beth Schoedel

ALPHABETICAL ROSTER

No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Exp. Hometown/Previous School 1 Jamel Artis F 6-7 220 SO 1L Baltimore, Md./Notre Dame Prep (Mass.) 44 Tyrone Haughton C 6-9 220 JR TR Miami, Fla./Iowa Western C.C./Dr. Krop H.S. 21 Sheldon Jeter F 6-8 225 SO TR Beaver Falls, Pa./Vanderbilt/Beaver Falls H.S. 23 Cameron Johnson G 6-7 185 FR HS Moon Township, Pa./Our Lady of the Sacred Heart H.S. 5 Durand Johnson F 6-6 210 JR* 2L Baltimore, Md./Brewster Academy (N.H.)/Lake Clifton H.S. 12 Chris Jones G/F 6-6 213 SO* 1L Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck H.S. 22 Joshua Ko G 6-1 150 SO 1L Kailua, Hawaii/Kalaheo H.S. 24 Mike Lecak G 6-2 175 JR* 1L Pittsburgh, Pa./Wheeling Jesuit Univ./North Canyon H.S. 4 Ryan Luther F 6-9 215 FR HS Gibsonia, Pa./Hampton H.S. 13 Josh Newkirk G 6-1 185 SO 1L Raleigh, N.C./Word of God Academy 15 Aron Phillips-Nwankwo F 6-7.5 215 SR* 3L Baltimore, Md./Baltimore City College 11 Derrick Randall F 6-9 240 SR 1L Brooklyn, N.Y./Rutgers/South Kent Prep (Conn.) 0 James Robinson G 6-3 198 JR 2L Mitchellville, Md./DeMatha Catholic H.S. 50 Joseph Uchebo C 6-10 245 JR 1L Enugu, Nigeria/Chipola J.C./Word of God Academy (N.C.) 3 Cameron Wright G 6-5 205 SR* 3L Cleveland, Ohio/Benedictine H.S. 2 Michael Young F 6-9 235 SO 1L Duquesne, Pa./St. Benedict’s Prep (N.J.)

PRONUNCIATION GUIDE CLASS BREAKDOWN GEOGRAPHICAL ROSTER

Jamel Artis...... Ja-Mel Total Players: 16 Florida: 1 (Tyrone Haughton, Miami). Tyrone Haughton ...... HAW-ton Redshirt Senior: 2 (Aron Phillips-Nwankwo, Hawaii: 1 (Joshua Ko, Kailua). Durand Johnson...... Dur-Ron Cameron Wright). Maryland: 4 (Jamel Artis, Baltimore; Durand Joshua Ko...... Coe Senior: 1 (Derrick Randall). Johnson, Baltimore; Aron Phillips-Nwankwo, Mike Lecak ...... LEE-sack Redshirt Junior: 2 (Durand Johnson, Mike Baltimore; James Robinson, Mitchellville). Aron Phillips-Nwankwo .... Nah-wonk-whoa Lecak). New Jersey: 1 (Chris Jones, Teaneck). Joseph Uchebo ...... Ooh-chee-bow Junior: 2 (Tyrone Haughton, James Robinson, New York: 1 (Derrick Randall, Brooklyn). Joseph Uchebo). Nigeria: 1 (Joseph Uchebo, Enugu). Redshirt Sophomore: 1 (Chris Jones). North Carolina: 1 (Josh Newkirk, Raleigh). Sophomore: 5 (Jamel Artis, Sheldon Jeter, Ohio: 1 (Cameron Wright, Cleveland). Joshua Ko, Josh Newkirk, Michael Young). Pennsylvania: 5 (Sheldon Jeter, Beaver Falls; Freshman: 2 (Cameorn Johnson, Ryan Luther. Cameron Johnson, Moon Township; Mike Lecak, Pittsburgh; Ryan Luther, Hampton; Michael Young, Duquesne). 16