Pitt Lands 2021 American East Defensive Player of the Year

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Pitt CommitMouhamadou Gueye (photo Courtesy of Pitt Athletics)

PITTSBURGH – Head coach Jeff Capel continued to retool the Pitt Men’s Basketball roster with the signing of 2021 American East Defensive Player of the Year Mouhamadou Gueye. The 6-9 forward averaged 9.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 3.1 blocks per game en route to also earning third team all-conference and all-defensive team accolades last season at Stony Brook.

 

“Mo [Mouhamadou] is a terrific athlete with a defensive mindset and a strong all-around skill set,” said Capel. “We love his competitiveness and ability to play above the rim on both ends of the floor. He gives us another versatile, experienced forward who can help impact winning.”

 

Gueye, a native of Staten Island, N.Y., concluded his two seasons at Stony Brook with 436 points (8.1 ppg.), 360 rebounds (6.7 rpg.), 92 assists (1.7 apg.) and 129 blocks (2.4 bpg.) in 54 career contests. He shot 43.7 percent (157-of-359) from the field and 71.7 percent (99-of-138) from the foul line. As a senior, Gueye scored in double figures in 10 contests and grabbed 10 or more rebounds six times.  His 3.1 blocks per game last season set a school single-season record, while his 2.38 career blocks average is also a Stony Brook record.

 

He began his college career in the JUCO ranks at Monroe College where he helped the team to a pair of regional titles as well as a berth in the 2017 NJCAA National Tournament. Gueye averaged 16 points and eight rebounds per game in the 2019 regional playoffs and was an JUCO Top 100 prospect.

 

Gueye becomes the fifth addition to the Panthers roster for next season joining fellow transfers Jamarius Burton (Wichita State/Texas Tech), Dan Oladapo (Oakland), along with junior college addition Chris Payton (Indian Hills JC) and prep school standout Nate Santos. He is the eighth player 6-7 or taller on the roster and can play in both the post and on the wing.

 

Season tickets for Pitt Basketball are now on sale through the Panther Ticket Office.

Pitt’s full 2021-22 schedule will be announced in the fall. The Panthers are expected to host Duke, Virginia, Louisville, Syracuse, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, NC State, Miami and Boston College in conference play and are likely to host an ACC/Big Ten Challenge game after playing on the road in the challenge last season.

(Story and information courtesy of Pitt Athletics)