PITTSBURGH – Pitt continued to add to its backcourt with the signing of third-year Rhode Island product Ishmael Leggett. The 6-3 combo guard has two seasons of eligibility remaining and is coming off his best season with the Rams.
"Ishmael is a strong veteran guard with a balanced skill set," said head coach Jeff Capel. "He uses his strength and craftiness to get in the lane to create for himself and his teammates and has also shown the ability to be a weapon behind the three-point arc. His leadership and competitive spirit mirror the culture we are creating in this program, and we are looking forward to his arrival in Oakland."
Leggett averaged 16.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game during the 2022-23 season. He made 48 three-point field goals, while also shooting 84.5 percent (147-of-174) from the foul line. The Prince George's County, Md., native scored in double-figures 28 times, including nine games with 20+ points scored and a pair of 30+ point efforts. He made seven threes and scored a career-best 34 points against Tulane in the Cayman Islands Classic.
He has totaled 932 points, 343 rebounds, 145 assists, 89 steals, and 88 three-pointers in 87 career games (70 starts) at Rhode Island.
Leggett joins a young and talented backcourt featuring 2023 Top 100 commits Carlton Carrington and Jaland Lowe as well as 2022 Top 50 prospect Dior Johnson.
Pitt is expected to return a strong group of frontcourt players led by Second Team All-ACC selection Blake Hinson (15.3 ppg., 6.0 rpg., 97 3FG). The Panthers also look to return a trio of players standing 6-11 or taller in starting center Federiko Federiko (6.6 ppg., 5.3 rpg., 57 blocks, .667 FG Pct.) and key reserves Guillermo Diaz Graham (3.5 ppg., 3.2 rpg.) and Jorge Diaz Graham (2.9 ppg., 2.2 rpg.). William Jeffress (47 games, 20 starts) is also expected to be available next season after missing the 2022-23 campaign due to a foot injury.
Pitt has additional scholarships available with Jamarius Burton, Nelly Cummings, Greg Elliott, and Nike Sibande exhausting their eligibility and Nate Santos entering the transfer portal following the season.
The Panthers went 24-12 overall, including a 14-6 mark in ACC play, and won a pair of NCAA Tournament games last season.
"Ishmael is a strong veteran guard with a balanced skill set," said head coach Jeff Capel. "He uses his strength and craftiness to get in the lane to create for himself and his teammates and has also shown the ability to be a weapon behind the three-point arc. His leadership and competitive spirit mirror the culture we are creating in this program, and we are looking forward to his arrival in Oakland."
Leggett averaged 16.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game during the 2022-23 season. He made 48 three-point field goals, while also shooting 84.5 percent (147-of-174) from the foul line. The Prince George's County, Md., native scored in double-figures 28 times, including nine games with 20+ points scored and a pair of 30+ point efforts. He made seven threes and scored a career-best 34 points against Tulane in the Cayman Islands Classic.
He has totaled 932 points, 343 rebounds, 145 assists, 89 steals, and 88 three-pointers in 87 career games (70 starts) at Rhode Island.
Leggett joins a young and talented backcourt featuring 2023 Top 100 commits Carlton Carrington and Jaland Lowe as well as 2022 Top 50 prospect Dior Johnson.
Pitt is expected to return a strong group of frontcourt players led by Second Team All-ACC selection Blake Hinson (15.3 ppg., 6.0 rpg., 97 3FG). The Panthers also look to return a trio of players standing 6-11 or taller in starting center Federiko Federiko (6.6 ppg., 5.3 rpg., 57 blocks, .667 FG Pct.) and key reserves Guillermo Diaz Graham (3.5 ppg., 3.2 rpg.) and Jorge Diaz Graham (2.9 ppg., 2.2 rpg.). William Jeffress (47 games, 20 starts) is also expected to be available next season after missing the 2022-23 campaign due to a foot injury.
Pitt has additional scholarships available with Jamarius Burton, Nelly Cummings, Greg Elliott, and Nike Sibande exhausting their eligibility and Nate Santos entering the transfer portal following the season.
The Panthers went 24-12 overall, including a 14-6 mark in ACC play, and won a pair of NCAA Tournament games last season.
