Oldest to youngest: Pitt's Terrell Brown, William Jeffress have chance to step up

During the final two games of the regular season — plus, whatever magic can get conjured up in the ACC Tournament — Pitt will be relying on a new cast.

Among them are the oldest player on the team (senior Terrell Brown, age 22) and the youngest (freshman William Jeffress, 17). Under different circumstances — such as better free-throw shooting across the board — Brown and Jeffress would have been two of the reasons Pitt broke its losing streak Sunday at N.C. State.

Reality intruded, however, and Pitt missed 11 free throws in a three-point loss to the Wolfpack. The losing streak is at five.

Nonetheless, coach Jeff Capel believes the Panthers (9-10, 5-9 ACC) have plenty at stake over the next week, starting Tuesday against Wake Forest (6-13, 3-13) at Petersen Events Center. Brown and Jeffress are expected to be in the middle of it.

Brown, whose 6-foot-10, 235-pound frame can help compensate for the loss of second-leading rebounder Au’Diese Toney, recorded his first career double-double (11 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks) against the Wolfpack.

“I may have gotten rewarded individually,” Brown said, “but that isn’t the goal that I wanted or we all wanted.”

Jeffress made big plays in clutch moments (a 3-pointer and two offensive rebounds).

Capel admires both players for more than their ability on the court.

The admiration stems from Brown breaking the mold that, Capel believes, defines many collegiate athletes.

“This generation of young people,” Capel said, “a lot of times they don’t stick things out when things become difficult or adversity hits. They have been taught that it’s OK to run, to leave.

“I’m not saying that’s bad. I’m not judging. It’s different. Gone are the days where you go through something really difficult and you stick it out and figure it out and felt better because of that.”

Brown was part of former Pitt coach Kevin Stallings’ nine-man recruiting class in 2017. Of that group, only Jared Wilson-Frame, a junior college transfer, played to the end of his eligibility at Pitt. Hardened as a freshman by an 0-19 ACC record, Brown will complete his fourth season next week.

“What Terrell, and that group that came into the University of Pittsburgh as freshmen, went through was horrific,” Capel said. “It was really very bad, the stories that I heard. I feel for every one of those guys who had to experience that.

“But I’m proud of Terrell for sticking it out. I think he’s gotten better because of that experience. I think he’s gotten tougher. I think he’s become a better basketball player. He’s one of the guys in our program who’s really tried to believe and buy in to the stuff that we’re doing and the way we’re trying to change this.

“I’m really proud of him for how much he’s grown — take basketball away — for how much he’s grown as a man.”

Jeffress is at the beginning of that process, having graduated early last year from McDowell High School in Erie.

Like Brown, Jeffress didn’t play much this season before the recent roster upheaval, but now he’s one of 10 scholarship players on the roster. His presence and ability are as necessary as any player on the team.

A week ago, Jeffress was watching video with Capel when the young man made an interesting confession.

“We were talking. I was showing him some tape,” Capel said, “showing him him and talking about some different things.

“One of the things he said was, ‘Coach, one of the things I realize is I don’t know how to work.’ It was just amazing to hear that honesty, that transparency, (him) being that insightful (as) a young kid. Not making excuses, not pointing a finger, but looking internally.

“He wants to be good. He’s trying to learn how to be that.”

NOTES: Pitt will honor Brown and senior managers Rob Blose, Nick Bobula, Bryce Kready, Andrew Thomas and Patrick Uher during a pregame ceremony. … Sophomore Justin Champagnie no longer leads the ACC in scoring. Duke’s Mathew Hurt (19.25 points per game) scored 37 in an overtime loss to Louisville. Champagnie (18.59) settled for 15 on Sunday, but still leads in rebounding (11.41).

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