Three Transfer Targets for Pitt

Here are three other transfer options the Pitt Panthers could target this offseason.

Oklahoma State v Texas Tech / John E. Moore III/GettyImages

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers have some room on their roster now that Federiko Federiko and William Jeffress are headed headed for the transfer portal and the staff has already gotten to work identifying potential prospects.

There are a handful of targets the Panthers have identified as good fits, like ECU's Brandon Johnson, UNC Greensboro's Mikeal Brown-Jones and Cornell's Chris Mannon. But here, we'll tackle some other options that Pitt could tap to account for the losses of Federiko, Jeffress and leading scorer Blake Hinson.

Brandon Garrison - 6'10 center, Okalahoma State -- Could be an elite, Mark Williams-level defender. Scores off others primarily, good pick and role partner, can pass a bit. Got some weight to him. Would only be a sophomore in 2024. 

Garrison would be a dream addition for the Panthers this offseason. The former four-star recruit, top-100 player, top-10 center and No. 1 player in Okahoma's class of 2023 stands 6'10 with some eight behind him at 240 pounds. He'd instantly be the biggest frontcourt player on the Pitt roster should he come along.

Garrison fits exactly what Pitt needs if they're building around their top three guards in Ish Leggett, Jaland Lowe and Bub Carrington. He was an elite defensive rebounder and shot-blocker in his freshman season and limits his offensive game to shots around the rim, which he makes at north of a 75% clip.

But for all those same reasons, it would take a Hurculean recruiting effort for Jeff Capel to pull Garrison away from the many, many high-majors looking to land his services.

Frankie Fidler - 6'7 wing, Nebraska-Omaha -- Fidler is a 6'7,  dynamic scorer who could help fill the Blake Hinson void, at least as a scroer. His combination of size and ball-handling ability that has a high likelihood of translating to a higher level of college basketball.

Fidler was extremely efficient - a 60.4% true shooting percentage - while carrying an extremely large offensive load - 26.9% usage rate - and limiting turnovers - 10.3% turnover rate. He's averaged double-figure scoring in each of his three seasons at Omaha, including a career-high 22.4 points per game last season. He's efficient from all three levels in the half court and, with the unquestioned offensive engine of last season's team headed out the door, the Panthers desperately need the scoring punch Fidler can provide.

Josh Cohen - 6'10 center, UMass -- The former UMass big man was a force in the Atlantic 10 this past season after stepping up from the St. Francis in the Northeast Conference. He improved his offensive and defensive rating and is seeking an even bigger challenge this season.

Cohen boasts an impressive array of post moves and a growing 3-point shot (he took two attempts and missed both in three seasons at St. Francis before knocking down 11 of 34 attempts - 34.4% - last season). He's efficient, posting a true-shooting rate above 60% in three of four collegiete seasons. I also think Cohen has some untapped passing ability that could play well with the Panthers' array of shooters.

Cohen is an interesting addition mostly because of timing. He'd be a one-year rental and there's nothing wrong with that - Pitt's had success with those kinds of players before - but it'd mean that Papa Kante's development takes longer just because minutes would be more limited. Who knows if he'd be willing to stick around and see it through, but Cohen would provide the rising redshirt freshman some cover to grow on the court while handling the bulk of the playing time.

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