Pitt F Jorge Diaz Graham Built For Primetime

Pitt Panthers forward Jorge Diaz Graham plays his best when the lights are the brightest.

PITTSBURGH -- Pitt Panthers forward Jorge Diaz Graham was modest when performing a self-evaluation of his efforts against North Carolina A&T. After scoring 14 points on perfect shooting from the field and free throw line, grabbing five rebounds and blocking a shot, he gave all the credit to his teammates. 

"I was just finishing plays," Diaz Graham, just beginning his sophomore season at Pitt, said. "The guys were hitting me. I think Ish [Leggett] got two assists and Bub [Carrington] made the first one and then Zack [Austin] with the alley-oop - I was just finishing. It was all their work."

Humble at the podium, Diaz Graham's teammates and coaches know him a little differently. To them, he is a showman - someone who can only be at his best if there is someone to impress. He finally got that when college basketball season officially opened at the Petersen Events Center with Pitt emerging victorious over the Aggies by a final score of 100-52. 

It's not selfishness or cockiness - he's a willing passer and by all accounts a fantastic teammate - just confidence and an affinity for putting his best foot forward when the cameras are rolling. 

Diaz Graham was an indispensable part of running up that gaudy margin against North Carolina A&T. The Panthers were struggling to score at one point in the first half, going without a field goal for 1:42 before he took over and scored nine points in a span of 93 seconds. 

"We had a period there where we couldn’t make shots," head coach Jeff Capel said after the win. "I think we were stuck on maybe about 28 points or something for a little bit, and then this guy, Jorge, got us going, making a couple three’s and that kind of opened the basket for us."

3-pointer, 3-pointer, dunk, free throw, free throw - with each passing score, Diaz Graham elicited louder and louder cheers from the crowd at the Petersen Events Center. For some people, crowds are intimidating and make them shrink. Diaz Graham is the exact opposite. 

“Jorge is a baller," super senior forward Blake Hinson said. "He comes out there ready to play. Every time the lights are on, every time you smell the popcorn, you can count on Jorge. So I was not surprised.”

But his strong opener did happen on accident. Diaz Graham suffered a foot injury over the summer that kept him out of live, five-on-five action until late September. He had to work furiously to make up for lost time and he has, gaining weight to become a better defender and rebounder in addition to keeping up the skills that, combined with his 6'11 frame so dangerous on the wing. 

“He’s put the work in, so it’s no surprise to anybody who’s seen him put the work in," Leggett said. "He’s out there counting his days, every day, honestly — putting in reps, getting up game-like situation shots. So it’s no surprise, for real.”

Capel saw the beginning of Daiz Graham's ability to rise in bigger moments last season, but rarely had enough minutes to see it manifest in game action. That should change this year, with a less crowded rotation and some advancements from Diaz Graham. He played 16 minutes against North Carolina A&T, the sixth-most of his young career so far. He can count on more coming his way if the production stays the same and fans can count on more glimpses at primetime Jorge. 

“Jorge’s better when the lights come on," Capel said following an open practice in October. "The thing I learned about him last year is that he’s different when people are here, when the lights are on and I think everyone, including his teammates, saw that today.”

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