Elliott, Sibande sign pro deals

Two more members of last season’s Pitt basketball team have signed contracts to begin their professional careers.

Following the news of both Nelly Cummings and Jamarius Burton inking contracts to play overseas, former Panthers guards Greg Elliott and Nelly Cummings have now done the same.

Elliott, who averaged 10.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game in his lone season with the Panthers last winter, announced Saturday that he will play for the Svendborg Rabbits, of Svendborg, Denmark. The Rabbits are a member of the Basketligaen, Denmark’s highest-rated league.

”I can’t wait to get to Denmark and begin my professional career in front of the Rabbits fans,“Elliott said in an announcement post on his personal Instagram. ”Really excited to get the chance to build a relationship with my coaches and teammates. Can’t wait to meet everyone. Peace and love.”

Prior to his time at Pitt, Elliott was a key contributor for four seasons at Marquette, where he appeared in 114 games. Elliott’s efforts were perhaps most felt in the 2021- 22 season, when he helped lead a young Golden Eagles team to the 2022 NCAA tournament.

Sibande, meanwhile, announced Monday that he signed a deal with Kataja Basket, a team located in Helsinki, Finland. Kataja Basket is a member of the Korisliga, which is known as Finland’s top professional basketball league.

Last season, Sibande bounced back from a torn ACL injury to earn ACC Sixth Man of the Year honors, posting averages of 8.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. Sibande arrived at Pitt in the 2020-21 season, after starting his collegiate career at Miami (OH). He missed all of the 2021-22 season due to his knee injury, which was sustained in the preseason.