Panthers add another player to class of 2017

A Pitt recruiting class that was paltry even two weeks ago continues to grow — and quickly.

Samson George, a forward from the 2017 class from First Love Christian Academy in Washington County, has signed a financial aid agreement with the Panthers, giving them a much-needed body while still in search of players for next season at a relatively late stage on the recruiting calendar. The school confirmed the move Monday afternoon.

“Samson is an extremely athletic frontcourt player with a high motor,” Pitt coach Kevin Stallings said in a statement. “He is an aggressive rebounder on both ends of the floor and we are excited about his future in the program. He plays with a toughness and grit that are contagious.”

George becomes the third player in the past 11 days to commit to Stallings and his staff, joining class of 2018 forwardBryce Golden and class of 2017 guard Parker Stewart, the latter of whom has since signed with the program.

George announced his decision Monday with a tweet reading “It’s official. Pitt basketball” along with a picture of himself at a table surrounded by future teammates Malik Ellison, Peace Ilegomah and Khameron Davis.

With the addition of George, Pitt will have at least 10 new players on its roster next season, seven of whom will be freshmen. Unless they plan on awarding former walk-on Zach Smith a scholarship as they did last semester, the Panthers have one more scholarship they can use for next season.

George gives Pitt some much-needed height. He becomes only the fourth player eligible to play next season that is at least 6 feet 7, one of whom, Ilegomah, might redshirt as a freshman during the 2017-18 campaign to work on his development.

A native of Nigeria and a product of the New York Rens AAU program, George originally enrolled at Iona earlier this year, but was released from his scholarship after issues arose concerning his eligibility. At First Love, where he arrived after stints at decorated New Jersey prep schools St. Anthony’s and St. Patrick’s, he averaged 15 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.

Over the course of his recruitment, he held offers from the likes of USC, VCU, Rutgers, Duquesne, Towson and Monmouth, the last of which was where Pitt assistant Sam Ferry worked before joining the Panthers staff in late April.