PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Arrested on the South Side after allegedly punching a police officer and charged with aggravated assault, Pitt announced redshirt junior guard Ithiel Horton has been suspended indefinitely.
University of Pittsburgh policy dictates the immediate suspension from practice and competition 'until the legal process has been completed to the satisfaction of the University'.
The school in a release is calling it 'an off-campus incident' and said university officials, including head coach Jeff Capel, are not able to comment 'on the situation' until it has been resolved.
Horton started 18 games last season and was expected to be a major part of this year's team as Pitt's best three-point shooter. The transfer from Delaware played in 22 games total in this past Winter averaging 8.9 points and making a team-high 43 three-point field goals.
Pitt is already without guard Nike Sibande, sidelined for the season after a knee injury in the exhibition win over Gannon, and transfer guard Jamarius Burton, due to a knee procedure. Burton is expected back in a few weeks.
"Everyone has to step up a little bit more," Capel said Monday. "We've looked at guys in different positions. We made some adjustments and will be ok."
Capel said sophomore Will Jeffress and walk-on Onyebuchi Ezeakudo will be players who will get more of an opportunity.
"They've been good," Capel said of the team dealing with this. "They've had great attitudes. We talk about next man up. We control what we can control. We can control the guys that we have and control our attitudes, how we show up. Come ready to work, come with the right mindset, we've done that. Hopefully it shows up."
Pitt opens the season Tuesday night at 7p hosting The Citadel.
