PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He’s Pitt’s smallest off-season add, yet talks the biggest game. Nelly Cummings is coming home and he’s mentioning post-season in his graduate year at Pitt starting in November.
“I grew up in blue and gold, that was my hometown’s colors,” Cummings said. “I have never lost a home game here at home. I anticipate that being a similar result here.”
Considering the struggles Pitt’s had, including recently at home, that is quite a statement. While Cummings finished in first place in all three seasons in the Patriot League, the Panthers have finished 11th, 12th and 13th in the ACC.
The Lincoln Park grad is ready to lead the change.
“I think I can bring a host of things,” Cummings said. “Most importantly, I think I’m a winner. That’s something that’s important on any basketball team, especially for your point guard to be. I can bring that.”
“I can bring leadership. Obviously, I can score the ball. I can shoot, I can pass. I can do all of the basketball things. Most importantly for me, I’m going to bring winning and leadership.”
In his three seasons with the Raiders, along with winning, the 6’0” guard scored over 1,000 points with 208 rebounds, 186 assists and 80 steals. He shot 42% from the field, 38% from three and 81% from the foul line.
How does a guy of his stature have 51 career double-figure scoring games, including 20 points in his final game in the NCAA Tournament against one of the best defensive teams in the nation in Wisconsin?
“If you spend as much time in the gym as I have over my life,” Cummings said. “You will find a way to put the ball in the hoop. There are only so many ways you can do it. I spend so much time in the gym, I’m going to find a way to put the ball in the hoop.”
One of the people who taught him how to play is former Panthers great and current Pitt radio analyst Curtis Aiken. Cummings played on Aiken’s AAU team. He said he jumped at the opportunity after five years to play at home.
“Family is important to me,” Cummings said. “Having a chance for my people to be a part of this. Obviously, what we are building here basketball-wise and how I can become a better man here. There is nothing like having my family here.”
He played here last year, a 71-68 Panthers win in a game that Colgate led at half. A section, if not more, of family and friends from Beaver County were there, and loud. Cummings was the Raiders leading scorer with 17, but that’s not what he remembers.
“One thing that stuck out to me is I missed the game-winning shot,” Cummings said. “I’m a competitor and that’s the main thing that stuck out to me. I was very upset about that.”
He also said he remembers seeing something in a few of the Panthers young players. He came here to give them something they didn’t have.
“Definitely I knew these guys had a lot and they needed a guy like me to put it all together,” Cummings said.
When he decided to enter the transfer portal, he was quick to have conversations with Pitt. He said he was drawn by Jeff Capel’s attention to detail and focus and how locked in he was to make Pitt a winner again. He said that continued with the coaching staff and his eventual new teammates. Cummings said again that he’s a winner. How he goes about helping the program win again?
“You have to pay attention to the details,” Cummings said. “You can’t miss any steps. From day one I’m making an emphasis to do everything the right way. I want our habits to be the same for postseason as they are now.”
He said he’s using the eight-week window of time the guys are allowed to practice in the summer to work on the camaraderie around the team. He said they need to build the trust and willingness to love and fight for each other.
“I think we have to definitely spend a lot of time together,” Cummings said. “It’s very important for these summer sessions because you get to work out. You go through the adversity, the hard work. You get a chance to just lay back, kick back with your teammates and really find out who they are as people.”
Cummings first ever AAU practice was at the Petersen Events Center. He visualizes his first game of walking on that court in Pitt script. When he does so, he’ll do it as the lion of this Panthers team.
“They didn’t bring me here to not step into that leadership role,” Cummings said. “I really want to embrace that. Hopefully my teammates will trust that and allow me to be the leader I am.”