Diaz-Graham Twins Making Instant Impression on Pitt Coaches
PITTSBURGH -- Twin brothers Jorge and Guillermo Diaz-Graham's recruitment happened slowly and then all at once. Before committing to the Pitt Panthers last spring, they were relatively unknown prospects. As natives of the Canary Islands in Spain, American coaches didn't get a good look at them until they transferred to IMG Academy in Florida.
Pitt head coach Jeff Capel knew they were talented players as soon as he saw them on film, but he didn't fully know what kind of people he was getting when they arrived on campus. Capel said they brought an infectious enthusiasm to the Pete.
"I think they - both [Guillermo] and Jorge - are unbelievable to be around," Capel said. "They are happy, they just bring a smile to your face with their enthusiasm, their joy of playing, their joy of being here, their appreciation of everything."
But nice guys aren't going to win Capel or Pitt any basketball games - something they need to do desperately this season.
The twins are projects to an extent. They have good skills but need to get stronger and learn how to best use their imposing 6'11 and 7'0 frames against other Division I big men. Capel believes they have the right attitude about putting weight on and matching the speed of basketball at this level.
"They’re typical European tall guys," Capel said. "They’re versatile. They can shoot, they can pass it, they have a good feel for how to play. Obviously, the thing for them is strength, but they’re not afraid. They’re thin but there’s nothing soft about them. I think they’re going to continue to get better with the work they put in."
Guillermo got a head start on Jorge by playing with the Spanish U20 National team at the FIBA Championships in Montenegro this summer. He played well, averaging 6.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks over 14.1 minutes per game, and demonstrated a strong competitive desire in the process.
"I was really happy that he was able to make that team," Capel said. "He was told initially that he probably wouldn’t play that much and he was challenged by that. I remember having the conversation with him about do you want to do it and he said ‘Yeah, I want to earn minutes’. And he did that. He played well."
Guillermo reunited with Jorge in midsummer and their first few months at Pitt have been grueling. The days were highlighted by early morning workouts with assistant coach Tim O'Toole and battles with 6'9, 265-pound All-ACC forward John Hugley during practice. Hugley said he bullies the Diaz-Graham boys a bit but they've handled that challenge about as well as anyone can hope to.
“I’m physical with them every day in practice. I let them know every day that they got to get stronger. Push them around, bully them but it’s all good," Hugley said. "I’m me. They handle it pretty good, though.”
Super senior guard Jamarius Burton has seen them work too and believes it will all pay off as long as the two keep at it. It's hard to break through in Division I basketball as a freshman and Burton doesn't want them to get discouraged by that.
“Tremendous workers," Burton said. "They’re here early, 6 a.m. or whatever the case may be with Coach Tim O’Toole, putting in the work. Good listeners. They love this game and I can see that. So for me, I would empower them to keep going and have confidence regardless of what happens.”
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