Inside The Panthers

Report: Pitt Contacted One Portal Target, Scheduled Visit with Another

Jordan Epps is now on the Pitt Panthers' radar and Zack Austin has scheduled a visit.

Stephen Thompson

Report: Pitt Contacted One Portal Target, Scheduled Visit with Another
Report: Pitt Contacted One Portal Target, Scheduled Visit with Another /
In this story:

PITTSBURGH -- The college basketball transfer portal is heating up as the offseason moves into spring. The Pitt Panthers have been one of the many programs seeking to fill holes in their roster created by graduation and the transfer portal. They've contacted a new target and are working on getting one of the most sought-after transfer candidates on campus soon. 

According to a report from George Michaelowski of The Portal Report, Pitt and High Point transfer Zack Austin, a 6'7, 200-pound forward from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, are planning to schedule a visit for after the NCAA recruiting dead period, which lasts from March 30 to April 6. 

Austin started 26 of 31 games last season, including the final 11 of the season, and averaged 14.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per contest while shooting 43% from the field, 33% from 3-point range and 79% from the free throw line. He was one of the first players the Panthers contacted when the redshirt sophomore entered the transfer portal. 

The Panthers also reached out to Illinois freshman Jayden Epps this week, according to college basketball recruiting insider Andrew Slater. Virginia, Georgetown, NC State, Texas A&M, LSU and Arkansas are among the many other high-major schools interested in Epps. 

Epps, a 6'2 and 190-pound point guard from Norfolk, Virginia, appeared in all 30 games the Illini played this season and started 11. He averaged 9.5 points, 1.5 assists and 1.8 rebounds over 245 minutes per game. The former four-star and top-100 recruit shot 41% from the field and 30% from deep, but finished the year fifth on the team in scoring and third in 3-point field goals made. 

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage and so much more!

Biggest Winners from Pitt Pro Day

Pitt Signee Jaland Lowe Wins Guy V. Lewis Award

Pitt Players and Coaches React to Pro Day

Pitt Leaving Options Open for Starting QB

Israel Abanikanda Turns Heads at Pitt Pro Day

Report: Pitt HC Jeff Capel Visiting Syracuse Sharp Shooter Joe Girard

Published
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:

Home/Basketball