ESPN Names Pitt's Bub Carrington High-Upside Prospect

Pitt Panthers guard Bub Carrington has one of the highest ceilings of anyone in the NBA Draft.

Mar 15, 2024; Washington, D.C., USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Carlton Carrington (7) shoots the / Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

PITTSBURGH -- Pitt Panthers point guard Bub Carrington is expected to be a high pick in the coming NBA Draft after announcing his intention to declare earlier this week. ESPN's Jeff Borzello and Jonathan Givony have him as the No. 25 overall prospect available and believes he brings a rare quality this year.

"Carrington was one of the youngest players in college basketball this season, but was able to carve out a significant role on a Pitt team that was one win away from making the NCAA tournament," Givony wrote. "He was up and down in ACC play, but had some outstanding performances down the stretch, showing his talent as a plus-sized ball-handling guard who can shoot off the bounce, pass off a live dribble and bring intensity defensively despite his lack of strength and high-end explosiveness. Carrington will need time to be ready to play meaningful NBA minutes, but his youth, versatility and feel for the game give him a high ceiling in a draft lacking in that department."

Last year, the No. 25 overall pick - Houston's Marcus Sasser, who went to the Detroit Pistons - signed a two year contract worth $4.48 million with a team option worth $2,405,600 for the 2025-26 season. As of right now, the New York Knicks are expected to hold the No. 25 pick in this year's Draft but that won't be finalized until the conclusion of the NBA Playoffs.

Carrington's season got off to as hot a start as possible, with him notching a triple-double in his first career collegiate game. He experienced some struggles dealing with physicality as he made the adjustment to a higher level of basketball, and his 3-point shot went cold but he still found ways to contribute as a valuable defender and playmaker while waiting for his shot to return to form.

Carrington finished the season averaging 13.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists to just 1.9 turnovers per game while shooting 41% from the field and 32% from 3-point range. He closed the season especially strong, averaging 18.8 points 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 48% from 3-point range over his final six games, including a 24-point outburst against then-No. 4 North Carolina in the ACC Tournament semifinals. He was a five-time ACC Rookie of the Week honoree, earned an All-ACC honorable mention, landed on the ACC All-Rookie team and finished third in ACC Rookie of the Year voting.

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