Pittsburgh Basketball: 6 potential forward targets after missing out on Adou Thiero

Ven-Allen Lubin - Vanderbilt Commodores

2023-24 season stats: 12.3 ppg and 6.3 rpg

The 6’8 forward started 26 games at Vandy and is a proven double-digit scorer at the high-major ranks, shooting 50% from the field. Eight of Lubin’s 26 games were for at least 15 points, including 25 points and 11 rebounds against Florida. He’s a later entrant to the portal and has two years of eligibility left.

Lubin is familiar with Pittsburgh and the ACC since he started his career at Notre Dame. He doesn’t spread the floor much (39 three-point attempts last season) so pairing him with Corhen could have issues in the frontcourt. But with Diaz-Graham on the floor, that would go much smoother.

Tibet Gorener - San Jose State Spartans

2023-24 season stats: 11.4 ppg and 3.9 rpg

The 6’8 forward started his career at Arizona, before spending the last three years (55 starts) at San Jose State. He’s coming off a career-high season, shooting 40% from the field and 34% from three-point range on nearly six attempts a game. His production was inconsistent but did have some big outings, including 32 points and five rebounds against Fresno State.

Gorerner, a forward from Turkey, could be a solid depth piece in the frontcourt that can provide minutes in the rotation. There aren’t truly many spacing forwards left in the portal and while the overall numbers aren’t elite, he’s someone that the Panthers could make a play for, while the top teams focus on others.