After adding some perimeter help for the 2015-16 season in Sterling Smith, Coach Jamie Dixon and Pitt basketball grabbed some frontline help. Rafael Maia is a Brazilian-born forward who played at Brown the last three years. Like Smith, Maia is a graduate transfer and eligible to play the upcoming season.
He’s 6-9 and averaged 9.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game last year. He brings good size inside and will be looked to to help on defense and rebounding more than anything else.
Maia had Southern Cal and Nebraska pursuing him, but decided on Pitt after his visit to USC and without taking a trip to Nebraska.
Maia, very obviously, wanted Pitt, but had to wait and see what Chieck Diallo decided. Diallo opted for Kansas last week. Half-surprising that he still spurned St. John’s when you consider it was his local team and the lead recruiter from Iowa St. and Pitt/Kentucky were both added to the new staff at St. John’s. But then again, there is a reason Kansas is still one of the blue bloods of college basketball.
Pitt may not be done with the grad transfer flurry. Sterling Gibbs — the middle Gibbs brother — will be visiting Pitt for a couple days this week. Sterling is leaving Seton Hall after a year of strife and tension — that leaves Pirates coach, Kevin Willard, undermanned and on a true hot seat. Gibbs averaged 16.3 points and 3.8 assists. As one of the few grad transfers who played at a major conference level (yes, the Big East still counts in that respect for basketball), he is the top grad transfer out there.
Gibbs may be a longshot — and not because of all the negativity that was directed to his brother Ashton in his final year at Pitt. UConn has been rumored to be his destination even before he officially announced his intention to transfer. There were reports this past week — and then rebutted — that he had already committed to the Huskies. Landing Sterling Gibbs, though, would be a big boost for Pitt.
While on the subject on Gibbs, it may as well be noted that the youngest Gibbs, TJ, made a verbal to Notre Dame this weekend.
The issue with the influx of grad transfers — along with key incoming players in Damon Wilson and Rozelle Nix — is how quickly and well they are integrated and trusted.
You need to check your supposed facts (and logic I might add). If you want to get personal bud.
In Randal Al’s first stint with the Steelers in played only 4 years (2002-2005). After another 4 year stint with the Redskins (2005-2009). After being RELEASED by the Skins in March, 2010. The Stillers resigned for 2010.
So I count a total of 5 seasons for Randal El with the Steelers.
So that means all those stats (are they inaccurate as well) you listed were not procured as a Stiller.
As you were attempting to suggest.
And again who from Pitt have the Stillers drafted since Hank Poteat way way back in 2000 ?
Lame, lame, lame.
And what’s it doing on the Pitt Blather??
I think the story goes, they were recruiting Rooster and found Hugh Green, who was playing on an opposing team playing Rooster’s.
LOL
I like the transfer fron Brown. He is man at 23 years old.
Getting Gibbs would be huge. Go JD!