By SEAN BOCK
Parker Stewart, who requested a release a few days ago, and seven other Pittsburgh players have asked for and are expected to receive their release to explore transfer options, according to ESPN.
The news was confirmed to ZAGSBLOG by a Pitt spokesman.
Senior Ryan Luther, sophomore Kene Chukwuka, and four other freshmen — Marcus Carr, Khameron Davis, Terrell Brown and Shamiel Stevenson — asked for permission to reach out to other schools. Luther will have to apply to receive another year of eligibility which is likely to be granted.
Junior Malik Ellison, who sat out this season after transferring from St. John’s, asked for a release but will have to go through a different procedure because he didn’t play this season.
“We had a tough year, but most of the team was freshmen and we felt like we’d have a chance to improve next year,” Stewart told ESPN. “We liked Coach [Kevin] Stallings. He was a great guy as a person and he treated us well.”
Whoever takes this job is going to have an EXTREMELY busy spring and summer recruiting. Might be worth putting in a call to the Canárias Basketball Academy guys for an immediate talent influx. https://t.co/Pjh11uzAB1
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) March 16, 2018
Stallings led the Panthers to a 16-17 record (4-14 ACC), before going 8-24 this season — including 0-19 in ACC games.
According to the report, the only three players who have not received their releases are team’s leading scorer Jared Wilson-Frame, and freshmen Samson George and Peace Ilegomah, who combined to play just 185 minutes this past season.
As Corey Evans of Rivals said, “asking for a release to transfer does not mean it’s a definite that the player is leaving. Told majority will wait to see who the appropriate hire will be before a final decision is ultimately made.”
Among the coaches expected to be linked to the opening are Rhode Island’s Danny Hurley, Arizona’s Sean Miller, and former Ohio State coach Thad Matta, who turned down the Georgia job earlier this week.
Maybe Pitt and Arizona can merge squads next year to field a full team and Sean Miller can coach his alma mater that way. https://t.co/oIQlI3bag7
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) March 16, 2018
Three-star power forward Bryce Golden is the lone member of the 2018 Pittsburgh recruiting class.
