Opportunity bounces toward Sibande
Guard scored 23 against Wake Forest and might have future with Panthers
Nike Sibande hit three 3-pointers in Pitt’s win on Tuesday night against Wake Forest. The first was a dead-on attempt from the top of the key with the bank open. The second fell thanks to a friendly rim, the ball bouncing six times before dropping. The third hit the back of the rim, died in the air and found the net.
After his season-high 23-point performance — maybe his last at Petersen Events Center, maybe not — Sibande laughed about the trio of 3s. The senior guard couldn’t remember a time in his career when something like that happened. “I’m glad they went in,” Sibande said with a smile. “I’ll take them.”
Truth is, it was about time Sibande had a bounce or two go his way. The 2020-21 college basketball season, mired by postponements and cancellations amid the COVID19 pandemic, has been hard on everyone. But Sibande’s campaign has been “more disjointed than anyone” on Pitt’s roster, head coach Jeff Capel said.
Sibande transferred from Miami of Ohio in June after averaging 15.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game for the RedHawks over three seasons. There was a level of offseason excitement around the move, if not an expectation Sibande would enter the starting lineup alongside Xavier Johnson, Au’Diese Toney and Justin Champagnie.
That never happened, mostly due to factors outside of his control. Unlike most transfers coming out of the pandemic-affected portal, Sibande’s NCAA waiver request for immediate eligibility was controversially denied. It wasn’t until an hour before Pitt’s sixth game of the season that Sibande was cleared to play, relieved by the NCAA Division I Council’s decision to grant a blanket waiver for 2020-21.
By then, Pitt was 4-1 with Champagnie shining, Johnson distributing and Toney providing double-digit scoring. Sibande had to play catch-up in practice and try to pick up game time whenever he could. He played eight minutes in the first game he was eligible at Miami, Fla. Next up was an eight-point, 26-minute showing against Louisville with Champagnie and Toney out with injuries.
But before Sibande could hit a groove, he missed both games against Syracuse in
January due to COVID-related protocols. In the six contests that followed, he logged 52 of an available 240 minutes, hitting 3 of 15 shots and failing to get to the free throw line.
“It was the coaches and the guys in the locker room every day,” Sibande said, when asked what kept him going as he waited for opportunity. “I was staying focused and staying with a mission on my mind.”
That mentality has paid off the past couple of weeks. Sibande earned 14 minutes in a 74-73 loss at N.C. State before starting in place of an injured Toney against Florida State. Against the nationally ranked Seminoles, Sibande played 36 minutes, scored 12 points and corralled seven rebounds. The guard said after the encouraging showcase that he’d consider coming back to Pitt for the 2021-22 season if Capel would have him.
That possibility has surely increased since. Johnson and Toney left the program
in the days following the Florida State loss, leaving a minutes vacuum to be filled.
“I think that’s one of the things that some of the guys were excited about. They saw opportunity,” Capel said after Sibande and freshman William Jeffress played well in the 13-point win over Wake Forest. “Sometimes all you need is an opportunity. They were ready to take advantage of it.”
Capel later noted that there’s “no one” on Pitt’s roster more affected by last week’s events than Sibande, both in the shortterm and next season.
Sibande decided not to take part in Pitt’s senior night ceremony on Tuesday, leaving the door open for his return in 2021-22 with the NCAA granting an eligibility waiver for seniors. Capel said “there’s a chance” Sibande will take advantage of it, adding that it’s a situation that will be resolved at the conclusion of the season.
“That’s just a decision behind closed doors. I’m talking to coach Capel and figuring
some things out,” Sibande added Tuesday. “... Whatever we got to do to figure out a way we can win, I’m all for it. If that comes with me staying, if he feels like I can be a piece to help compete and win here, then I’ll do that.”
For now Sibande is set to continue his increased role. The Panthers travel to Clemson on Saturday for their regular season finale. Then, they’ll travel to Greensboro, N.C., for the ACC tournament.
How deep of a run the Panthers make or don’t make will depend largely on Champagnie’s heroics, but also Sibande’s form. If he can provide 23 points, nine rebounds and four assists like he did against the Demon Deacons, perhaps Pitt can make a push without Johnson and Toney.
These next couple of games, like the Wake Forest showing, can be viewed as an audition of sorts for Sibande. And after the season he has had, it’s one that’s well-deserved.