BREAKING: Pitt's Bub Carrington Declares for NBA Draft

Pitt Panthers star freshman Bub Carrington is headed for the NBA Draft.

Mar 14, 2024; Washington, D.C., USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Carlton Carrington (7) drives to the / Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers announced that they would hold a surprise press conference this week with head coach Jeff Capel and an unnamed player, sending Pitt fans into a frenzy of speculation about what it all could mean.

But at the Petersen Events Center the following day, the rumor mill came to a halt when Pitt's star freshman Bub Carrington announced that he would declare for the NBA Draft. He cannot officially declare for another three weeks but is making his intentions known early.

Carrington's season got off to as hot a start as possible, with him notching a triple-double in his first career collegiate game. He experienced some struggles dealing with physicality as he made the adjustment to a higher level of basketball, and his 3-point shot went cold but he still found ways to contribute as a valuable defender and playmaker while waiting for his shot to return to form.

Carrington finished the season averaging 13.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists to just 1.9 turnovers per game while shooting 41% from the field and 32% from 3-point range. He closed the season especially strong, averaging 18.8 points 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 48% from 3-point range over his final six games, including a 24-point outburst against then-No. 4 North Carolina in the ACC Tournament semifinals. He was a five-time ACC Rookie of the Week honoree, earned an All-ACC honorable mention, landed on the ACC All-Rookie team and finished third in ACC Rookie of the Year voting.

Carrington told reporters following the season-ending loss to the Tar Heels that he planned on returning to Pitt for his sophomore season.

Carrington's draft stock has been widely debated. He's young with fantastic size for his position and after a hot start to his freshman season, began to appear in mock drafts as a potential first-round selection and perhaps even a lottery pick. His stock ebbed and flowed throughout the year and as it stands now, he could remain in that first round conversation or fall to the second round by some estimations. Most scouts and analysts view him as a project that would need to be developed because of his age and inconsistent 3-point shot.

Carrington cannot officially declare for the NBA Draft until April 23rd. After that, he has until May 31st - 10 days following the end of the NBA Scouting Combine - to withdraw his name from the Draft and return to school if he chooses. Draft Day is scheduled for June 22nd.

As it stands right now, the Panthers will enter the 2024-25 season with Jaland Lowe and Ishmael Leggett leading their backcourt. True freshman Brandin Cummings will provide some depth and the program will likely dig for more veteran help in the transfer portal this offseason.

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