Inside The Panthers

Pitt's Jeff Capel Provides Update on Will Jeffress

Jeff Capel doesn't know if Will Jeffress will be back with the Pitt Panthers next season.

Stephen Thompson

Pitt's Jeff Capel Provides Update on Will Jeffress
Pitt's Jeff Capel Provides Update on Will Jeffress /
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PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers made a surprise announcement this week when they revealed that redshirt junior forward William Jeffress would participate in Senior Day festivities prior to the regular season finale against NC State. 

Jeffress still has two years of eligibility remaining and is set to officially graduate from Pitt this spring after completing his coursework. The announcement signaled to many that he was planning on leaving the program but that might not be the case, according to head coach Jeff Capel. 

"I know it’s been stuff out there," Capel said. "He has not informed me or us as a staff that he isn’t planning to come back. Obviously, with the nature of college athletics now, you never know what your roster is going to be when the season’s over with."

Jeffress was honored pregame but did not play against the Wolfpack. 

Jeffress has averaged 1.6 points and 2 rebounds over 11.1 minutes per appearance while shooting 36% from the field this year after missing all of the 2022-23 season with a foot injury suffered during the preseason. 

Jeffress has been instrumental in some key wins this season. He locked down Wake Forest's Efton Reid late in the second half of a critical victory for Pitt at the Petersen Events Center and grabbed 9 rebounds against West Virginia. 

Capel emphasized that he's been grateful for Jeffress contributions despite his limited role. 

"We’re grateful for him," Capel said. "And he’s a big part of our team and the success that we’ve had this year." 

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

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