A week after two players left the Pitt basketball program, coach Jeff Capel found one who could leave but wants to stay.
Guard Nike Sibande, a senior transfer from Miami (Ohio), announced Thursday night on “The Jeff Capel Show” on 93.7 FM, that he plans to take advantage of the NCAA’s bonus year of eligibility and return for the 2021-2022 season.
“Me and Capel talked about it” Sibande said. “I think I’ll be coming back next year, for sure.”
Sibande said he is eager to have a full season to work with Capel and his teammates after he wasn’t ruled eligible by the NCAA until after the fifth game of the season.
He said he’s returning “knowing I can go in and have a whole summer to work with Capel and be here.”
“Knowing the group of guys I’ll be around, I know I can impact them in a way, too. I can really have a whole year to play and get out on the floor and do what I can do.”
Sibande’s announcement surfaced two days after recorded 23 points, nine rebounds and four assists — his best in a Pitt uniform — in Pitt’s 70-57 victory against Wake Forest.
In 12 games, he’s averaging 5.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists.
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