Inside The Panthers

Pitt Contacts Elite Transfer PG

The Pitt Panthers are recruiting an elite transfer guard from Minnesota.

Stephen Thompson

Mar 14, 2024; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Elijah Hawkins (0) celebrates his
Mar 14, 2024; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Elijah Hawkins (0) celebrates his / Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

PITTSBURGH -- After retaining star guards Jaland Lowe and Ishmael Leggett and adding former Houston Cougar through the transfer portal, the Pitt Panthers appeared set in the backcourt for the 2024-25 season but they are reportedly looking into making a deep group even deeper.

According to a report from George Michalowski of The Portal Report, the Panthers were one of many high-major teams to reach out to former Minnesota guard Elijah Hawkins. Kentucky, Creighton, Texas Tech, Villanova, Florida State, South Carolina, Wake Forest, West Virginia, Seton Hall, Oklahoma State, Tennessee, Georgia, Vanderbilt and Washington State are also reportedly involved in his recruitment.

Hawkins surprised Gopher fans and the rest of the college basketball world when he went back on his pledge to return for another season with the team. The transfer from Howard spent one season in Minneapolis and averaged 9.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game, which ranked second in all of Division I college basketball, while also shooting 36% from 3-point range and 78% from the free throw line on the way to Big 10 honorable mention distinction.

The Panthers have two scholarships remaining but they will face some stiff competition if they want to get Hawkins to Pittsburgh.

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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: