Pitt Men's Basketball Begins Fall Practice as Season Opener Approaches

The current roster is significantly reshaped, composed mainly of newcomers with only three returning players, one of whom is on scholarship. The team spent the summer getting to know each other, but the real work began with the opening practice sessions.

Fifth-year guard A'lahn Sumler, a recent transfer from Northern Kentucky and Charleston Southern, characterized the first practice as challenging due to the group’s lack of prior competition together. However, by the second day, he noted an improvement in their energy and connection, stating, "We had our energy back... the good juices were flowing."

The emphasis on connection resonates within the team, with associate head coach Milan Brown highlighting the importance of developing team chemistry before it translates onto the scoreboard. "That's going to be one of the big hurdles that we're trying to clear early," Brown remarked, stressing the need for players to gel quickly.

Head coach Jeff Capel also addressed the issue of team buy-in during practice, drawing on the success of previous seasons where collective effort outshone individual star power. Notably, Nike Sibande and Ishmael Leggett received ACC Sixth Man of the Year honors in 2023 and 2024, respectively, due to their commitment to team roles.

Transfer guard Jalil Bethea, who has played at both Miami and Alabama, expressed that their shared experiences have fostered a bond within the team. "That we all basically have the same background... we all have a chip on our shoulder," Bethea said.

Former Pitt players Ricardo Greer and Ronald Ramon, now on the coaching staff, are key figures in bridging the program's past and present. Their experiences during the program's physical eras serve as inspiration for current players. Sumler highlighted their role in emphasizing the need to rekindle the grit that once defined Pitt basketball.

Brown referred to the coaching staff's historical significance, noting they are not merely trying to create history but to recreate successful moments from the past. This dynamic provides the team with tangible examples of success.

As the team continues to develop its chemistry in practice, neither coaches nor players can predict the outcome of the season ahead. Brown acknowledged the ongoing challenge of building unity, stating, "It won't stop. Hopefully we'll continue to grow in our togetherness as the year goes on."

With the initial practices completed and six weeks before the season opener, the focus will now shift to turning that camaraderie into tangible performance on the court.