If you need something to look forward to next year, look no further than Class AAAA basketball champion DeJuan Blair. Before leading Schenley to the state title, he was interviewed by Pittsburgh Sports Insider.
PSI: You are so close to the University of Pittsburgh, how well do you know the players, have you been able to play with any of them?
DB: I know them real well. I haven’t gotten to play with any of them yet, but it is something I look forward to doing soon. Probably as soon as March Madness is over.
PSI: How do you see yourself fitting into the Pitt system next year?
DB: I’m going to try to win a Big East Championship. Whatever I have to do for the team to do that, I will. Obviously, I hoping I will be a starter, but I just want to win.
PSI: Describe your style of play for someone who maybe hasn’t seen you on the court.
DB: I am a team player. I love to pass the ball. I would rather pass and have teammates be involved than scoring a bunch myself. I like to do a little bit of everything. The main thing though is that I love winning; I’ll do anything to help my team win.
I’m pumped.
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Some of the candidates to replace the 7-foot Gray are sophomore Tyrell Biggs, who averaged 3.2 points in 37 games this season, incoming junior-college star Cassin Diggs and Schenley’s 6-foot-7, 250-pounder DeJuan Blair, the centerpiece of Pitt’s heralded recruiting class.
“Wherever they need me, I’m going to step up and I’m going to be there,” said Biggs, a 6-8, 245-pounder. “I’m going to make myself able to step in at the 5 (center) when they need me there.”
So is he 6-7 or 6-8 or 245, 250, 280?
All those HS measurements are overblown. He might be 6’7″ (maybe) and somewhere between 240 and 250.
Nasir Robinson did not look impressive in that State Final. Yes, his stat line ended up good because it was a high-scoring game, but he didn’t look exceptional on the court. Would certainly not have thought he was a Big East recruit.