BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: PITTSBURGH

June 16, 2007


Verbal Commitment Alert: Ashton Gibbs, G (Seton Hall Prep)




Projected 2007-2008 Roster:


Seniors: Keith Benjamin (G), Ronald Ramon (G), Mike Cook (G/F)
Juniors: Levance Fields (PG), Sam Young (F), Tyrell Biggs (F), Cassin Diggs (C)
Sophomores: Gilbert Brown (SF/G), Austin Wallace (BF)
Freshmen: Darnell Dodson (G/F), Bradley Wanamaker (G), Gary McGhee (C), DeJuan Blair (PF)
2008 Commitments: Travon Woodall (PG), Nasir Robinson (G/F), Ashton Gibbs (G)



The News of Ashton Gibbs to Pittsburgh (Hoops Haven Blog) caught many off-guard as he was long beleived to be a Seton Hall lean and the Panthers were expected to put all their efforts into an athletic forward with their final, as far as we know, 2008 available scholarship. Nonetheless, Pittsburgh has an excellent guard fromone of the top programs in the northeast who gives Pitt some versatility and shooting ability.


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Ashton Gibbs, a 6'2 combo guard from Seton Hall Prep, joins Nasir Robinson of Chester High School (PA) and Travon Woodall of St. Anthony's (NJ) in Jamie Dixon's Class of 2008. Gibbs was widely regarded as the top guard in New Jersey in the class coming up through the ranks and led SHP to a 30-1 record last season, averaging nearly 19 PPG. Although Gibbs has lost some of his national acclaim in the scouting rankings, most of it can be traced to the fact many question if he is a point guard or a shooting guard. However, coming from a program like Seton Hall Prep, you know he will be well schooled in the game of basketball and have plenty big game experience which translates well to the Big East.

Last winter Pitt snagged early commitments from Nasir Robinson and Travon Woodall. Robinson is a monster of a swingman that will battle you tooth and nail defensively and on the glass. Many comparisons in his game to Paul Harris of Syracuse, right down to the weakness of perimeter shooting. Robinson has been a fixture on the AAU circuit playing alongside Tyreke Evans and personifies the Pittsburgh program with his toughness. Woodall also comes from a great high school program and brings a junkyard dog mentality to the guard position. Woodall can play on the ball or off the ball, but he can be electric with the ball in his hands. Playing at St. Anthony's you know Woodall will come to Pitt ready to play defense.

Although Pitt is now out of scholarships they still seem to be intent on chasing the elusive athletic power forward and ELoy Vargas from Florida has been that top target for months. This could be a Big East battle as Vargas is expected to visit Pitt and Louisville before this month is out. Other players on Pitt's radar for the forward position is Kevin Jones of Mount Vernon, Quintrell Thomas of St. Patrick (NJ), Roscoe Davis of DC and Andrew Van Nest of Northfield Mount Hermon.

We will continue to monitor Pittsburgh on the recruiting trail.