ATLANTA -- Ithiel Horton's criminal charges from his arrest on Nov. 6 were all dropped Thursday.
Pitt's junior shooting guard and the team's highest scorer from last season that was still on the team for 2021-2022 was arrested in the south side of Pittsburgh and charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness. Horton was alleged to have struck a police officer stemming from an incident that stemmed from an illegal parking concern.
Horton's initial preliminary hearing was originally scheduled for Nov. 18, but was delayed to Dec. 30. That hearing was held Thursday morning, where all four criminal charges against Horton were dropped.
Hours after the charges were dropped, Pitt announced Horton would be reinstated to the basketball team from his suspension.
"We are grateful that Ithiel's situation has been resolved," said head coach Jeff Capel in a statement released by Pitt athletics. "It is unfortunate that he had to miss the past two months, but I know he has remained hungry to get back with his teammates and have the opportunity to represent the University of Pittsburgh again. I am really proud of the way he handled his academic responsibilities, making the Dean's List, while dealing with this situation. Ithiel has remained positive and confident throughout this process and we are eager to integrate him back into the team. His teammates were excited when they heard he has been cleared to rejoin the group. We look forward to his full return to the University of Pittsburgh and the opportunity to continue to mentor and lead a young man eager to make the most of his opportunity here."
Horton played in Pitt's exhibition against Gannon on Nov. 1, but has been suspended from the team for all of the Panthers' first 13 games. During that time, Horton was not allowed to work with the team or its coaches, but was allowed to train at Pitt facilities, per university policy. A source close to the team has told DK Pittsburgh Sports that Horton has been training during his hiatus from the team.
"I'm grateful to have this situation resolved and have the opportunity to get back to my life as a member of the Pitt basketball team and to fully return to the University of Pittsburgh," said Horton in a statement. "The past two months have been extremely difficult but the support and constant encouragement from my family, coach Capel, the rest of the coaching staff and my teammates really helped me stay strong and keep working. I am also thankful for the support and guidance from Heather Lyke and the rest of the leadership group here at Pitt. I am just ready to put this behind me and get back out on the court with my teammates."
Horton's return to the 5-8 Panthers would be a welcomed boost, as Horton was the 2020-2021 Panthers' fourth-highest scorer with 8.9 points per game, and his 43 made three-point shots was the most on the team. His return would give Pitt a reliable outside shooter who could inject life into the lowest scoring team in the ACC.
But that return could be short-lived if the charges get reinstated. That could happen if the prosecution returns with the charges that were dropped because the accusing officer didn't make the preliminary hearing that had already been rescheduled. For now, Horton could play in Pitt's next game against Louisville on Jan. 5 after the Panthers' Saturday game against Virginia Tech was postponed.
