GREENSBORO, N.C. — “We put Pitt again on the map.”

Greg Elliott, Jamarius Burton, and Nelly Cummings all proclaimed shortly after the emotional Panthers fell to 3-seed Xavier to conclude their magical season.

“The long run is shiny,” Burton stated. “We put Pitt on the nationwide stage. They’re going to have the ability to get transfers out of the portal, and it’s as much as the blokes that are available in to imagine in Coach and imagine in this system and take it from right here.”

Nike Sibande — a sixth-year senior who missed all of final season with a torn ACL, solely to win ACC Sixth Man of the Yr this 12 months — adopted with a mirrored image of his personal.

“I agree with what Jamarius stated,” Sibande added. “We positively introduced Pitt again to, you already know, a nationwide stage to the place it has a number of consideration now. So I feel in our future it’s going to be shiny for Pitt. I feel lots of people ought to come right here and imagine in Coach. He did a tremendous job this 12 months with this group, and I admire every part, each expertise we had this 12 months for positive.”

Subsequent got here Nelly Cummings, the 6-foot graduate senior who grew up a Pitt fan out in Midland, PA. Cummings concluded his collegiate profession with three NCAA Event appearances, and greater than 1,500 factors and 380 assists.

“I agree with what each of them guys stated,” Cummings added. “So as to add to that, like J.B. stated, we put Pitt again on the map, so we’re positively pleased with what we did right here, and the longer term is de facto shiny as a result of the teaching workers and everyone on this program, all of them have a perception about themselves that may translate to guys who are available in, like transfers like me. So I feel there’s going to be a number of guys who will see that and perceive that Pitt is unquestionably a spot to be.”

Greg Elliott, like Cummings, transferred on this previous offseason after spending 4 seasons in Milwaukee with Marquette. Elliott began 36 video games this season for Pitt, hitting a career-high 77 three pointers and taking pictures 42% from three-point vary.

“You already know, identical to my teammates simply stated, the longer term is unquestionably shiny for Pitt basketball as a result of now we have Coach Capel on the helm,” Elliott stated. “He wasn’t ACC Coach of the Yr for nothing. He is aware of what he’s doing. You already know, like they only stated, we’re again on a nationwide stage now. Everyone is aware of who Pitt is once more. So if you wish to come make noise, why wouldn’t you come to Pitt?”

Aidan Fisch, the manager-turned-walk-on-turned-scholarship participant for Pitt, was additionally emotional about his time with the Panthers after the sport on Sunday.

Aidan Fisch represents Pitt basketball. pic.twitter.com/9qoni4V4WN

— George Michalowski (@MichalowskiCBB) March 19, 2023

“The unbelievable teammates that I had and the countless combat,” stated Fisch, when requested what he’ll keep in mind about this season. “The truth that they introduced, we introduced, Pitt again to nationwide prominence, was unbelievable.”

Pitt finishes its season with a 24-12 document — this system’s finest since 2013-14. The Panthers earned two NCAA Event wins — one over No. 11 Mississippi State within the First 4 and one over No. 6 Iowa State within the first spherical — advancing to the second spherical of the match in 12 months 5 of the Jeff Capel period.

Micah Gilbert comes from a really deep athletic bloodline, and it’s one which’s well-known in Western Pennsylvania.

Micah’s father is Mark, a former gifted multi-sport athlete at Aliquippa Excessive College, that then performed D-1 basketball at Iona and Duquesne. His uncle, Sean, is well-known for taking part in at Pitt and turning into a first-round decide. Micah’s cousins are former Pitt star and up to date NFL Corridor of inductee cornerback Darrelle Revis, together with former Pitt star and NY Jets security Jordan Whitehead. It doesn’t cease there as his brother, Mark Jr., starred at Duke and is at present a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It goes with out saying athletic expertise runs by means of the Gilbert household.

Courtesy Micah Gilbert

And it positive seems as if Micah is effectively on his strategy to turning into a family identify for his accomplishments. Gilbert is likely one of the prime junior huge receivers within the nation, as rated a 4-star recruit by each Rivals.com and 247Sports.com.

It ought to come as no shock that Micah Gilbert is a precedence recruit for Pitt and is personally being recruited by head coach Pat Narduzzi.

Had an incredible go to to @Pitt_FB! Thanks for the invitation‼️ @CoachKlineAlex @TiUnderwood @CoachDuzzPittFB pic.twitter.com/QzFC2AKyJT

— Micah Gilbert (@Gilbert316Micah) March 17, 2023

Gilbert (6’3″, 200-pounds) at present attends Charlotte Christian Excessive College in Charlotte, North Carolina and this weekend, Gilbert returned to Western Pennsylvania to make an unofficial go to to take a look at the Pitt Panthers.

“What stood out to me was the best way the Pitt coaches interacted with the gamers,” Gilbert tells Pittsburgh Sports activities Now. “It appeared just like the gamers genuinely take pleasure in being and taking part in within the Pitt program. I actually loved conversations with Coach Tiquan, he is an effective dude. The services are all very good and resourceful. I’ve seen Pitt all through the years, with my household legacy going by means of there, but it surely was good to get my alternative to see issues and expertise it for myself. It was necessary that I received the non-public contact from the coaches and workers.”

“Pitt is simply holding it actual with me about how the gamers take pleasure in being there and it’s like in all places else, that I should struggle and earn my spot, however there will likely be a possibility.”

https://t.co/bZp7uasfht Listed here are my szn highlights! Missed the final 5 video games resulting from harm.

— Micah Gilbert (@Gilbert316Micah) November 23, 2022

This Prime 200 nationwide recruit’s provide record is spectacular, with names reminiscent of North Carolina, BYU, Cincinnati, Duke, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Notre Dame, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and West Virginia.

Presently, Gilbert tells PSN that apart from Pitt, the faculties recruiting him the toughest are Duke, Penn State, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Michigan, North Carolina, Notre Dame and Florida.

It’s been a bit overshadowed due to the eye being given to Jeff Capel’s workforce however for the reason that begin of spring follow this week, the Pitt soccer program has been internet hosting a ton of top-rated recruits.

Issues began with Belle Vernon four-star athlete Quinton Martin visiting on Tuesday and has continued with gamers equivalent to 2024 four-star extensive receiver Micah Gilbert, 2024 four-star linebacker Brian Robinson, 2024 three-star offensive lineman Caleb Brewer and 2024 three-star athlete Jameer Grimsley.

On Sunday, one other identify will likely be added to this record because the Panthers will host a 4-star recruit, that’s touring an extended approach to get his first impressions of Pat Narduzzi and Pitt.