PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – In a turnaround year, several Pitt players honored by the ACC on Monday including Nike Sibande-the ACC Sixth Man of the Year.
Just to be playing at Pitt was tough work for Sibande, let alone win one of the big awards for the 2022-23 season. The 15-hundred-point scorer at Miami University had his transfer held up his first season, lost his entire second season to an ACL tear in an exhibition game and this year was the best player off the bench in the conference.
“He’s been great,” said ACC Coach of the Year Jeff Capel. “You are talking about somebody starring in their role, he has done that. I’ve said it from the beginning of the year, he is like a sixth starter for us. He plays starter minutes. He can close games for us. He’s helped us win. He brings a different type of energy. He has pop-an athleticism that we don’t have.”
“He’s been tremendous. It took a while because when you come off that injury, there is a physical barrier you have to get over, but there is also a mental barrier. You can do it in practice, but it is different when you are going up against someone. It took him a little while to find that rhythm again, but once he found that he’s been unbelievable for us.”
Sibande had 47 votes, 39 more than anyone else. He scored double-figures in 15 games, including 10 over the last two months. The Indiana native led the Panthers with 21 points in the win at Georgia Tech and 16 points (5-8 FG) helping Pitt beat Virginia. Sibande averaged 8.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and had 17 steals and eight blocks for the season.
Burton 1st team
Another holdover from last season, guard Jamarius Burton was named First-Team All-ACC. Burton averaged 15.6 points while ninth in the league in FG percentage (.493) and FT percentage (.829) and 10th in assists (4.3). He received three votes for ACC Player of the Year (won by Miami’s Isaiah Wong)
“The the work that I put in,” Burton said. “A lot of it attributed to my teammates. None of this would be possible without my teammates, without us winning. I tip my hat to everyone in the locker room.”
“Have you seen him play?” said Pitt forward Blake Hinson why asked why he is deserving. “What you see on the court. What you don’t see on the court is actually first-team All-ACC as well. That’s what nobody sees.”
“His preparation is probably on the top of the team. It’s there at all times. Whatever it takes. Whatever extra he needs to do. He asks anyone how he can improve.”
“Once you see the preparation, you know it’s a different type of preparation. Even when he is preparing for practice, the small things. Once you see that, you become a leader without even saying anything.”
Hinson 2nd team
Known for the energy he brings to the group after transferring from Ole Miss, Blake Hinson named Second-Team All-ACC. Hinson said hours before the award was announced it would be great to be honored. Saying it’s cool to be one of the best in one of the best leagues.
The seventh Pitt player ever named to the first, second or third team, Hinson led the Panthers at 16.1 points per game and 6.3 rebounds. He finished in double figures 27 times, 10 times finishing with 20 points or more. Hinson was second in the ACC with 2.86 made threes per game while shooting 38%.
“I always wanted to be a better teammate and I think I’ve become one, an understanding teammate,” Hinson said of his improvements this year. “More of a competitor, I’ve been in more games. I know the right things to do at the right situations-I’ve learned a lot.”
Federiko Federiko was not named on the ACC All-Defensive Team but got three votes for ACC Defensive Player of the Year (won by Virginia’s Reece Beekman). The sophomore also got a vote for ACC Most Improved Player (won by Boston College center Quinten Post).
Panthers play the winner of Florida State-Georgia Tech in the ACC Tournament Wednesday at 2:30 on 93.7 The Fan.