Pittsburgh Basketball: Panthers rebuilding efforts continue as Parker Stewart becomes seventh recruit to commit

Pittsburgh basketball looking to bounce back from a tough 2016-17 season, and coach Kevin Stallings has added his seventh recruit in Parker Stewart.

The Pittsburgh Panthers had a tough year under new coach Kevin Stallings. However, Stallings has done a fairly good job on the recruiting scene this year, as he looks to make the Panthers into ACC contenders once again.

Pitt has experienced the most success on the hardwood in program history this century. The Panthers have missed the NCAA Tournament just five times since 2000, although they have not made the “Big Dance” two of the past three years.

Pitt is coming off its first losing campaign since the 1999-2000 season. The Panthers went 16-17 overall and 4-14 in the ACC. The Panthers will have to replace its entire starting lineup, which contributed 89.04% of the team’s 73 points per game. Jamal Artis, Sheldon Jeter, Chris Jones and Michael Young were the starters that graduated. In the meantime, Cam Johnson has transferred to North Carolina.

Stallings seems to rebuilding the Panthers the right way by recruiting freshmen. Stallings added his seventh newcomer for the 2017-18 season with consensus three-star recruit Parker Stewart committing to the team on June 19.

Stewart, a one-time Ole Miss signee, announced his decision via twitter. The 6’4″ combo guard held more than a dozen offers including from Butler, Georgetown, Georgia Tech, and Kansas State among others. He is given a three and a half star rating by 247 Composite, three stars by Rivals and four stars by ESPN.

Stewart is very skilled with his shooting — possessing range up to 22 feet — and is a very good passer. The Union City, Tennessee native is more of spot-up shooter right now, though he has the ability to shoot off the dribble. He has to improve on the defensive end, according to ESPN Insiders scouting report.

Rivals top-100 point guard Marcus Carr leads the Panthers newcomers. Stallings also has brought in a pair of centers in three-star Terrell Brown as well as two-star Peace Ilegomah. Guard Khameron Davis and forward Shamiel Stevenson are the other incoming freshmen. Wing Jared Wilson-Frame has transferred in from Northwest Florida State College.

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In addition, Stallings nabbed St. John’s transfer Malik Elllison, but he must sit out the upcoming season as a result of transfer rules. Pitt  has two open roster spots left.Senior forward Ryan Luther is the leading returnee for the Panthers. Luther averaged 5.7 points along with 3.9 boards in 21 games last season. Kevin Stallings has a young squad coming in, but hopefully they can rise back to relevancy over the next few years.