Panthers’ upheaval continues
averaged 10.9 points per game for a talented squad at Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax, Va. His performance earned him a spot on The Washington Post’s All-Met first team.
Thompson was a high school teammate of former Pitt forward Corey Manigault, who announced his decision to transfer March 14 after averaging 0.8 points per game in his lone season at the school. Manigault was one of four players who have left the program after the Panthers’ first losing season since 2000, a group that most notably included redshirt sophomore guard and Moon native Cameron Johnson, who averaged 11.9 points per game in the 201617 season and shot 41.5 percent from 3-point range. A fifth player, freshman guard Justice Kithcart, was dismissed from the team March 3.
A recruiting class that had seven members last week now has five, three of whom have signed letters of intent — four-star guard Marcus Carr, junior college standout Jared Wilson-Frame and forward Terrell Brown (6-9). When paired with the three players on its roster with remaining eligibility — forward Ryan Luther (5.7 points per game last season), guard Jonathan Milligan (2.2) and center Rozelle Nix (1.4) — Pitt has five open scholarships for next season, a void that likely will be primarily filled by a handful of transfers its coaches are currently pursuing.
“We are excited about the five players we currently have signed and will continue to recruit players committed to forming the foundation of this program,” Kevin Stallings said in a statement. “We have added five talented players that will help build a sustainable winning culture through selflessness, accountability and execution.”