PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Sidelined this season after tearing his ACL during the lone exhibition game November 1, Pitt guard Nike Sibande says he is recovering well and plans to return next season to the Panthers.
Sibande on the Jeff Capel Show on 93.7 The Fan and the Pitt Panthers Radio Network confirmed he's taking advantage of the extra year allowed by the NCAA.
"I'm going to be back," Sibande said Thursday. "Be back and ride with Capel and try to get us a championship or something next year. That's what I'm looking forward to."
A senior transfer from Miami (Ohio) where he scored 1,570 points, grabbed 532 rebounds with 155 assists, he is also a career 41% shooter from the three-point line. Sibande started eight of 14 games last season, his first with Pitt after his transfer was finally approved by the NCAA. The guard averaged 6.9 points, 3 rebounds and 1.5 assists shooting a team-best 43.6% from three.
Sibande participated in all practices and was playing in the team's exhibition opener against Gannon where he injured his knee. He said on the Jeff Capel Show he didn't realize at first how bad it was, but he's been trying to help and give advice where he can.
"It's been a grind, for sure," Sibande said of rehabbing the injury. "Waking up every morning doing different things. A lot of quad work, getting in the pool. Doing different stuff I never did or looked at before this injury. It's something I should have been doing. Now I'm doing it and it's paid off for sure."
He said it was a tough first couple of weeks after the knee injury, but has tried to be positive since. That's helped by going home every day to his two-year-old daughter OakLynn.
"She gives me hope, energy, that's my girl," Sibande said on 93.7 The Fan and the Pitt Radio Network. "I love her to death. She's always positive, always smiling. It doesn't have me looking at my injury, it keeps me happy and joyful."
Sibande is also positive about the future of the Pitt program. Enjoying what he's seen especially since early December.
"I really like it," Sibande said. "I see so much talent out there and I see them fighting and bringing it every day. It's tough because I wish I could be out there, bad."
"Seeing a lot of different things and different intangibles and talents that I know I could work with to bring their game up and mine too."
