PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – More additions to the Pitt roster on Wednesday with the addition of a pair of big brothers signing with the Panthers.
It's part of the roster turnover with the loss of sophomore guard Femi Odukale (11.1 points, team-leading 103 assists), guard Ithiel Horton (team best 39% from 3), Mouhamadou Gueye (6.3 rebounds, team-leading 66 blocks), plus role players Dan Oladapo, Onyebuchi Ezeakudo and Noah Collier.
What has Pitt added so far with still a couple of scholarships to give?
Guillermo Diaz Graham 7', 195 pounds-IMG Academy 3-star freshman
Despite playing for IMG Academy, the forward flew under the radar a bit but has moved from the On3's 143rd best player a few months ago to the 89th best player overall. Played for the Spanish U18 National Team averaging 11 points, 56% FG, 5.6 rebounds and 3 blocks a game during the FIBA Europe Challengers tournament in Summer 2021. Had offers from Maryland, Georgia Tech, Providence, Utah, UC-Santa Barbara
Jorge Diaz Graham 7', 195 pounds, IMG Academy 3-star freshman
Guillermo's twin-brother who despite his size, kind of like Gueye, played as a winger last season. Had a game in a prep showcase tournament where he hit seven three pointers. Thinks of himself as a big guard who can handle the ball. His IMG team averaged over 90 points a game. Also ranked among the top 100 players according to On3's.
Fede Federiko 6'11", 205 pounds Northern Oklahoma College-JUCO Sophomore
Had committed to West Virginia, but ended up signing with Pitt. Born in Cairo, raised in Helsinki before playing a post-grad year at the First Love Christian Academy in Washington County, Federiko will have three years to play in Oakland. Unlike the other two, Federiko is a truer post player named Honorable Mention All-American in his only JUCO season last year averaging 11.7 points, 59% FG, 8.6 rebounds, 1.9 blocks in 29 games. He also played for the Finnish National Teams in the U18 European Championship.
Blake Hinson 6'7", 230 pounds-Ole Miss/Iowa State junior
A four-star prospect out of high school he started 58 of 60 games his first two years at Ole Miss averaging 9.1 points, 40% FG, 33% (91-273) from 3, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists. Had a double-double against Florida, 16 points against Auburn as a sophomore. He had a 26-point game against Ben Howland's Mississippi State team as a freshman. Transferred to Iowa State last season but didn't play.
Nelly Cummings 6', 180 pounds-Colgate graduate student
The Midland native played in the last two NCAA Tournaments & 1st Team All-Patriot League in 2021-22 averaging 14.7 points, 36% from 3, 82% FT, 3.4 assists, 3 rebounds. Averaged in double figures all three seasons at Colgate after playing his first season at Bowling Green. Cummings scored 17 points against Pitt at the Pete in December and played AAU ball for former Pitt great Curtis Aiken.
All but Cummings have more than a season to play at Pitt and points to a roster with more height and offensive potential than last season. The Panthers also return:
All-ACC forward John Hugley (team leading scorer and rebounder)
Second-leading scorer, guard Jamarius Burton
Senior guard Nike Sibande-who missed the season after a knee injury
Junior forward William Jeffress, who started 16 games last year
Panthers still have room to add three more players before starting Jeff Capel's fifth season in the Fall.
