High Point transfer forward Zack Austin has committed to Pitt, giving the Panthers a needed piece in their frontcourt.
The 6-foot-7, 201 pound native of Winston Salem, N.C., averaged 14.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game in 31 games as a redshirt sophomore for High Point in the Big South Conference. He was recognized to the Big South All-Freshman team the season prior after averaging 14.4 points, eight rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game while shooting 32% from 3-point range.
Itβs timeπ₯·πΎ #h2pππ #ripmomπ«ΆπΎ pic.twitter.com/aQwrzsdVwX
β Zackπ₯·πΎ (@ZackAust11) April 11, 2023
BIG MOODβΌοΈ pic.twitter.com/cyc8Z2INRR
β Pitt Basketball (@Pitt_MBB) April 11, 2023
Regarded as a three-star prospect, Austin is valued as the No. 40 small forward within On3's transfer portal rankings. He visited Pitt last Thursday and Friday, after he met with Jeff Capel and his staff on a Zoom call the week prior.
Sophomore Zack Austin is entering the transfer portal. The 6β5 Guard had a great season for High Point averaging 14 PPG,5 RPG,1 SPG,and 2 Blocks a game. Austin was also efficient finishing with a 57% TS. Austin is an elite athlete who dunks everything and heβs a great defender. pic.twitter.com/QcdAjeGVAo
β KJ (@Kjpistons) March 15, 2023
Austin fills one of Capel's four open scholarship slots and will join a frontcourt of Blake Hinson, Will Jeffress, Guillermo and Jorge Diaz Graham, Federiko Federiko, and incoming freshman Marlon Barnes. Austin has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Forwards John Hugley IV and Nate Santos are in the transfer portal.
The hyper-athletic Austin boasts potential to start right away, in a lineup which could include Dior Johnson, Hinson, and Federiko to go with either of the incoming freshmen Jaland Lowe or Carlton Carrington or another transfer at guard. Austin is long, quick, and plays exceptional defense and can fill in roles left by the outgoing Jamarius Burton and Nike Sibande.
Capel now has three open scholarships remaining, and given the aggressive push to get Austin, those three slots are sure to include more from the portal coming this spring and summer.
