Center John Hugley, who was Pitt’s leading scorer and rebounder during the 2021-22 season, will transfer to Oklahoma, on3.com reported.
NEWS: Pitt transfer John Hugley has committed to Oklahoma, he tells @On3sports.
Story w/ quotes: https://t.co/XN0GECI02S pic.twitter.com/7DfSv7sZ3F
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 20, 2023
“I chose Oklahoma because it just felt like home,” Hugley told on3.com. “From the time coach Porter (Moser) first picked up the phone to call me, from the time I left campus, it was just all love.
“Coach Porter is an unbelievable coach and he loves to win and has (taken) his teams to the highest levels. I also think coach does an unbelievable job with featuring his big man. I really think this team can make a really deep run come tournament time.”
Prior to Pitt’s 2022-23 season, Hugley was considered its most important returning starter after averaging 14.8 points and 7.9 rebounds and being named honorable mention All-ACC.
But he injured his knee in the preseason and played in only eight games before sitting out the final 25. At the time, he cited his “mental health” as a priority while he dealt with the injury. His averaged 8.0 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.
Hugley (6-foot-9, 265 pounds) also missed most of the 2020-21 season after he was suspended while facing felony charges in connection with the theft of a car. He was eventually reinstated by coach jeff Capel, but he played in only seven games, with one start, averaging 5.1 points and 4.3 rebounds.
After entering the NCAA transfer portal, Hugley attracted interest from Ole Miss, Georgia Tech, Nebraska and West Virginia. He canceled a scheduled trip to West Virginia this weekend prior to committing to Oklahoma.
