Pitt F Earns Comparison to NBA Lottery Pick

ESPN expects Pitt Panthers forward Guillermo Diaz Graham to have a breakout season.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers could have a star in the making in their program, according to ESPN's Jeff Borzello. 

With the start of the 2023-24 college basketball season drawing near, Borzello published a list of breakout candidates and Pitt's Guillermo Diaz Graham not only made the cut, but earned a comparison to a former No. 2 overall pick too. 

"This is something of a deeper breakout pick, but Diaz Graham showed some very impressive flashes toward the end of last season and there's been a growing intrigue in NBA circles surrounding him. Drawing comparisons to a version of Chet Holmgren, the skinny 7-footer with touch out to the perimeter started just three games last season -- the final three games of Pitt's season in the NCAA tournament."

Borzello pointed to his games against Mississippi State, Iowa State and Xavier on the sport's biggest stage, during which he averaged 7.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game while making three starts - as reasons why the Panthers can and should be optimistic about his future. 

Borzello also gave a shoutout to his twin brother, Jorge, who has many of the same skills but shot 35% from 3-point distance as well last year. 

Pitt head coach Jeff Capel shared effusive praise for his second-year stretch-center with Borzello, saying that some added weight - about 20-25 pounds - and experience have made him better during the offseason and he's in a position to unlock more of his skill set in year two. 

"He's gotten stronger and that has helped him become more confident as a player," Capel said. "He's a very unique player because he's 7-foot and he can shoot the basketball and he can pass. He has a great feel for the game. He's not a big guy, he's just 7-feet. It's a different type of weapon. Because of his size, you have a big guy on him but he's on the perimeter doing a lot of stuff out there. To me, it's his feel. He has an unbelievable feel for the game."

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