ESPN+ Article, 12 Breakout Players (GDG)

[JD1976]

Guillermo Diaz Graham, Pittsburgh Panthers​

This is something of a deeper breakout pick, but Diaz Graham showed some very impressive flashes toward the end of last season and there's been a growing intrigue in NBA circles surrounding him. Drawing comparisons to a version of Chet Holmgren, the skinny 7-footer with touch out to the perimeter started just three games last season -- the final three games of Pitt's season in the NCAA tournament. But that included nine points, eight rebounds and three blocks against Iowa State and 11 points, eight boards and three blocks against Xavier. He also had 14 points and eight rebounds in the ACC tournament against Duke. It's worth noting his twin brother, Jorge Diaz Graham, has many of the same traits -- and shot 35.3% from 3 as a 6-11 freshman last season.

What we're hearing: "He's gotten stronger and that has helped him become more confident as a player. Certainly the experience last year, especially at the end of the season, what he was able to do and how well he played, and you add 20-25 pounds and that experience of knowing college basketball and how to prepare. He's a very unique player because he's 7-foot and he can shoot the basketball and he can pass. He has a great feel for the game. He's not a big guy, he's just 7-feet. It's a different type of weapon. Because of his size, you have a big guy on him but he's on the perimeter doing a lot of stuff out there. To me, it's his feel. He has an unbelievable feel for the game." -- Pitt coach Jeff Capel

 

[NCanton Panther]

Guillermo Diaz Graham, Pittsburgh Panthers​

This is something of a deeper breakout pick, but Diaz Graham showed some very impressive flashes toward the end of last season and there's been a growing intrigue in NBA circles surrounding him. Drawing comparisons to a version of Chet Holmgren, the skinny 7-footer with touch out to the perimeter started just three games last season -- the final three games of Pitt's season in the NCAA tournament. But that included nine points, eight rebounds and three blocks against Iowa State and 11 points, eight boards and three blocks against Xavier. He also had 14 points and eight rebounds in the ACC tournament against Duke. It's worth noting his twin brother, Jorge Diaz Graham, has many of the same traits -- and shot 35.3% from 3 as a 6-11 freshman last season.

What we're hearing: "He's gotten stronger and that has helped him become more confident as a player. Certainly the experience last year, especially at the end of the season, what he was able to do and how well he played, and you add 20-25 pounds and that experience of knowing college basketball and how to prepare. He's a very unique player because he's 7-foot and he can shoot the basketball and he can pass. He has a great feel for the game. He's not a big guy, he's just 7-feet. It's a different type of weapon. Because of his size, you have a big guy on him but he's on the perimeter doing a lot of stuff out there. To me, it's his feel. He has an unbelievable feel for the game." -- Pitt coach Jeff Capel

“He’s not a big guy, he’s just 7-feet”.

Now there’s a good example of how anything can be a matter of perspective.

 

[pittchagg]

“He’s not a big guy, he’s just 7-feet”.

Now there’s a good example of how anything can be a matter of perspective.

I kind of interpreted that more along the lines of “He’s not a [big, strong, traditional center], he’s just seven feet [which makes his length difficult to deal with and defend].

 

[HailToPitt1985]

I kind of interpreted that more along the lines of “He’s not a [big, strong, traditional center], he’s just seven feet [which makes his length difficult to deal with and defend].

That's what I thought he meant also.

 

[NCanton Panther]

I kind of interpreted that more along the lines of “He’s not a [big, strong, traditional center], he’s just seven feet [which makes his length difficult to deal with and defend].

So it’s not just a matter of perspective, context matters also!!

 

[Ski11585]

“He’s not a big guy, he’s just 7-feet”.

Now there’s a good example of how anything can be a matter of perspective.

Shades of Bomani Jones's "there's big man and there's tall man."

 

[Fsgolfdr]

If they stay at Pitt all 4 yrs ( I hope ) they have the skills to be program changers . Seven footers even small ones who can shoot from three are virtually impossible to stop at the collegiate level . Plus they have European skills of passing and setting picks not to mention their shot blocking and altering D . Huge upside .

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

I feel like he's the type of dude Wisconsin built a program out of... the only difference being back then you knew you might have to wait three years before he cracked the starting lineup, and now you're just seeing what you can extract from him on a year to year basis because you know the next one is never promised. We'd be fired up about the day the twins would comprise 40% of our starting lineup if this was even ten years ago.