Official release from Pitt...
PITTSBURGH – Graduate transfer Eric Hamilton has signed an aid agreement to join the University of Pittsburgh men's basketball program. Hamilton averaged 6.1 points and 4.4 rebounds, while shooting 59.1 percent from the field, in just 16.3 minutes per game last season at UNC Greensboro.
"Eric is an experienced post player with a winning mentality," said head coach Jeff Capel. "We like his athleticism and believe he has the tools to be an impact player in our program. He has shown the instincts, strength and effort level to be a high volume rebounder."
The 6-9, 250-pound forward has helped teams to three conference championships, three NCAA Tournament appearances and a record of 88-21 in his previous three seasons of collegiate competition.
Hamilton averaged 14.8 points and 8.1 rebounds per game as a high school senior at Duluth. He was a three-star recruit and signed with Wichita State. He spent two seasons with the Shockers, seeing action in 47 games, while averaging 2.2 points and 1.5 rebounds in 5.5 minutes per game.
Hamilton becomes the fifth member of Pitt's 2019 recruiting class, joining versatile wings Justin Champagnie and Gerald Drumgoole, sharp shooting JUCO guard Ryan Murphy and prep standout Karim Coulibaly. The Panthers remain active on the recruiting front with additional scholarships available.
Pitt returns four starters from last season, including double-figure scorers Xavier Johnson (15.5 ppg., 4.5 apg.) and Trey McGowens (11.6 ppg., 64 steals).
Johnson earned All-ACC Freshman Team honors, while setting Pitt freshman records for scoring, double-figure scoring games, games with 15 or more points scored, 20+ point scoring games, free throws made, free throw attempts and field goal attempts. He was the only player in the ACC to average at least 15.5 points and 4.5 assists per game during the 2018-19 season.
McGowens scored in double figures 17 times and set a Pitt freshman record with 33 points on 12-of-19 shooting in a Jan. 9 overtime win against Louisville. The Pendleton, S.C., native also had 30 points, while going 18-of-19 from the foul line, in a 75-62 win over then 11th-ranked Florida State Jan. 14.
The Panthers return Au'Diese Toney (7.5 ppg., 5.6 rpg.), Terrell Brown (5.7 ppg., 4.5 rpg., 60 blocks) and Kene Chukwuka (3.9 ppg., .534 fg pct.), who each started 16 or more games last season. Pitt also brings back forward Samson George along with guards Curtis Aiken, Jr., Onyebuchi Ezeakudo and Anthony Starzynski.
PITTSBURGH – Graduate transfer Eric Hamilton has signed an aid agreement to join the University of Pittsburgh men's basketball program. Hamilton averaged 6.1 points and 4.4 rebounds, while shooting 59.1 percent from the field, in just 16.3 minutes per game last season at UNC Greensboro.
"Eric is an experienced post player with a winning mentality," said head coach Jeff Capel. "We like his athleticism and believe he has the tools to be an impact player in our program. He has shown the instincts, strength and effort level to be a high volume rebounder."
The 6-9, 250-pound forward has helped teams to three conference championships, three NCAA Tournament appearances and a record of 88-21 in his previous three seasons of collegiate competition.
Hamilton averaged 14.8 points and 8.1 rebounds per game as a high school senior at Duluth. He was a three-star recruit and signed with Wichita State. He spent two seasons with the Shockers, seeing action in 47 games, while averaging 2.2 points and 1.5 rebounds in 5.5 minutes per game.
Hamilton becomes the fifth member of Pitt's 2019 recruiting class, joining versatile wings Justin Champagnie and Gerald Drumgoole, sharp shooting JUCO guard Ryan Murphy and prep standout Karim Coulibaly. The Panthers remain active on the recruiting front with additional scholarships available.
Pitt returns four starters from last season, including double-figure scorers Xavier Johnson (15.5 ppg., 4.5 apg.) and Trey McGowens (11.6 ppg., 64 steals).
Johnson earned All-ACC Freshman Team honors, while setting Pitt freshman records for scoring, double-figure scoring games, games with 15 or more points scored, 20+ point scoring games, free throws made, free throw attempts and field goal attempts. He was the only player in the ACC to average at least 15.5 points and 4.5 assists per game during the 2018-19 season.
McGowens scored in double figures 17 times and set a Pitt freshman record with 33 points on 12-of-19 shooting in a Jan. 9 overtime win against Louisville. The Pendleton, S.C., native also had 30 points, while going 18-of-19 from the foul line, in a 75-62 win over then 11th-ranked Florida State Jan. 14.
The Panthers return Au'Diese Toney (7.5 ppg., 5.6 rpg.), Terrell Brown (5.7 ppg., 4.5 rpg., 60 blocks) and Kene Chukwuka (3.9 ppg., .534 fg pct.), who each started 16 or more games last season. Pitt also brings back forward Samson George along with guards Curtis Aiken, Jr., Onyebuchi Ezeakudo and Anthony Starzynski.
