Week one of the Pro-Am is in the books and many Pitt players looked quite impressive.
The first week of games in the Pittsburgh Basketball Club summer Pro-Amateur league is in the books. Many Panthers played and preformed admirably. Below are their week one statistics:
| Name | Games | FGM | FGA | 3PTM | 3PTA | FTM | FTA | REB | AST | TO | PTS | PPG | APG | RPG | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wright | 2 | 10 | 23 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 26 | 13 | 2.5 | 4 | 43.5% |
| Luther | 2 | 9 | 21 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 2 | 3 | 21 | 10.5 | 1 | 6.5 | 42.9% |
| Johnson | 2 | 16 | 29 | 9 | 17 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 43 | 21.5 | 2.5 | 5 | 55.2% |
| Jeter | 2 | 16 | 33 | 3 | 13 | 3 | 5 | 27 | 4 | 5 | 38 | 19 | 2 | 13.5 | 48.5% |
| Uchebo | 2 | 13 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 31 | 6 | 2 | 28 | 14 | 3 | 15.5 | 56.52% |
| Lecak | 2 | 9 | 18 | 6 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 25 | 12.5 | 4.5 | 2 | 50.0% |
| Nwankwo | 2 | 13 | 31 | 1 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 18 | 2 | 8 | 31 | 15.5 | 1 | 9 | 41.9% |
| Ko | 2 | 4 | 11 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 0.5 | 36.4% |
| Jones | 2 | 12 | 26 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 15 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 36 | 18 | 2 | 4.5 | 46.2% |
| Artis | 2 | 20 | 28 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 5 | 4 | 45 | 22.5 | 2.5 | 7 | 71.4% |
| Newkirk | 2 | 23 | 46 | 3 | 13 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 4 | 55 | 27.5 | 5 | 2 | 50.0% |
| Randall | 1 | 10 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 22 | 1 | 15 | 83.3% |
| Young | 2 | 18 | 27 | 6 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 53 | 26.5 | 2.5 | 13 | 66.7% |
Josh Newkirk seems to be maturing and improving immensely during the off-season. Newkirk averaged 27.5 PPG with 5 APG. Fellow sophomore Michael Young looked equally impressive averaging 26.5 PPG and 13 RPG, a double-double in each game. Young will need to continue his development and rebounding abilities as Pitt will rely on him in the paint significantly more this season.
The program was handed some bad news this week, four-star recruit Shaquille Doorson decomitted from Pitt and then committed to Rutgers. The 6'11" Netherlands product seemed to have a chance at some minutes as the Panthers do not have an experienced center on the team. Someone needs to step up and take a hold of that position.
One candidate is Derrick Randall, a former Rutgers center who played sparingly for the Panthers last season. However, coach Dixon suspended him indefinitely for an April incident that occurred at Rutgers. Randall was arrested and charged with DWI as well as possession of a dangerous substance. The lack of a true big man has to influence Dixon's decision on when to bring him back.
The other option that is currently on the roster is Joseph Uchebo. Uchebo a former consensus top-100 recruit from the class of 2011 missed much of last season recovering from an injured knee. He has potential to increase his minutes given the Panthers lack of depth at center. Uchebo averaged 14.5 PPG and 15 RPG, and also had a double-double.
With the summer league scheduled to go on well into July, there is still plenty of time to watch the action in Montour. The next set of games will be played on Monday night. Check my twitter for the rosters and schedule.
