PITTSBURGH (93.7 the Fan) – Pitt fans looking for reasons to pay attention to the last few games of the basketball season. Beyond Justin Champagnie there are a couple of freshmen who appear to be a big part of their future.
Point guard Femi Odukale will likely make his fourth start against Wake Forest Tuesday at 6p on 93.7 The Fan. Forward Will Jeffress is coming off key minutes against NC State. Both earned the praise of head coach Jeff Capel.
“I think he has a chance to become a very good point guard,” Capel said of Odukale. “As a point guard you need to be a guy that inspires people. The really good ones, guys really want to play with them. They believe in them. They want to follow them. There has to be a connection there. I think Femi has the ability to do that.”
“That’s something that he is learning how to do. I think naturally he’s a people person, people gravitate to him.”
Capel notes Odukale enjoys passing and really to be doing anything this year is ‘amazing’. Odukale was hit by a car in the late summer. They initially thought he would be done for the season, but he played in the opener.
He’s not only starting now, but coming off a career-high 18 points and 38 minutes against NC State.
“We are excited about his future,” Capel said. “We are excited about these last few games with him.”
Jeffress gave up his senior year to enroll a year early. It’s the second time in his career the 6’7” (maybe taller now as Capel says he’s still growing) forward has skipped a grade.
“This is a kid that should be a junior in high school,” Capel said. “He wants to be good. He’s trying to learn how to be that.”
“I had a really interesting conversation with him, probably about a week-and-a-half ago, maybe a week ago. We were sitting and we were talking. I was showing him some tape and talking about some different things. One of the things he said was ‘Coach, one of the things I realized is that I don’t know how to work’. And that was just amazing to hear that honesty, that transparency and being that insightful from a young kid.”
“Not making excuses, not pointing a finger, not blaming someone else, but looking inside and looking internally and saying that’s one of the things he’s learning how to do. How to really work.”
Jeffress played 19 minutes with 3 points and a pair of rebounds against the Wolfpack. He’s going to continue to get more chances with however many games the Panthers have left.
“I think he’s really smart,” Capel said. “He has a chance to be a really good player. I thought his defense Sunday was very good. He had a big-time offensive rebound late in that game. A three in transition. It’s just getting used to the college game especially when you are that young. Like he is.”
“I think he has a very bright future for us.”
For Pitt to have a bright future, these two and others will get every opportunity. Odukale and Jeffress’ continue Tuesday night.