Pitt's Jeff Capel Provides Update on Will Jeffress
PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers made a surprise announcement this week when they revealed that redshirt junior forward William Jeffress would participate in Senior Day festivities prior to the regular season finale against NC State.
Jeffress still has two years of eligibility remaining and is set to officially graduate from Pitt this spring after completing his coursework. The announcement signaled to many that he was planning on leaving the program but that might not be the case, according to head coach Jeff Capel.
"I know it’s been stuff out there," Capel said. "He has not informed me or us as a staff that he isn’t planning to come back. Obviously, with the nature of college athletics now, you never know what your roster is going to be when the season’s over with."
Jeffress was honored pregame but did not play against the Wolfpack.
Jeffress has averaged 1.6 points and 2 rebounds over 11.1 minutes per appearance while shooting 36% from the field this year after missing all of the 2022-23 season with a foot injury suffered during the preseason.
Jeffress has been instrumental in some key wins this season. He locked down Wake Forest's Efton Reid late in the second half of a critical victory for Pitt at the Petersen Events Center and grabbed 9 rebounds against West Virginia.
Capel emphasized that he's been grateful for Jeffress contributions despite his limited role.
"We’re grateful for him," Capel said. "And he’s a big part of our team and the success that we’ve had this year."
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