Pitt transfer guard Jamarius Burton out 4-6 weeks after successful knee procedure
Jamarius Burton, one of five players added to the Pitt basketball roster after last season, will miss the next four-to-six weeks — and, possibly, the first four games of the season — after undergoing a procedure on his left knee Friday morning.
Pitt coach Jeff Capel said the procedure was successful.
“Jamarius had some swelling and discomfort in his knee, and after evaluation by our medical staff we determined the best course of action would be to take care of it now before the start of the season,” Capel said in a statement.
“With his level of maturity and commitment to the game, we are extremely confident Jamarius will put in the work to make a full recovery. As one of the leaders in the program, I know he we remain engaged with the coaches and his teammates throughout the rehab process and continue to build strong relationships within the program.
“We look forward to having him back out on the court as soon as the recovery process allows.”
Burton, a 6-foot-4 guard, started his collegiate career at Wichita State, where he averaged 10.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists during his sophomore season of 2019-20. He also shot 38% from beyond the 3-point arc. After transferring to Texas Tech, he averaged 4.3 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 19 minutes per game last season. He started four of Texas Tech’s 23 games.
He has two seasons of eligibility remaining at Pitt.
Pitt has veteran depth at guard, with returning players Ithiel Horton, Nike Sibande and Femi Odukale, the top three returning scorers from the 2020-21 team. Horton averaged 8.9 points, Sibande 6.9 and Odukale, a point guard, 6.6 points and 2.2 rebounds. The addition of Burton is expected to give Pitt a solid group of guards after Xavier Johnson and Au’Diese Toney transferred.
The Panthers open the season Nov. 9 against The Citadel at Petersen Events Center. Pitt will play four games in the first 11 days, including the renewal of the Backyard Brawl against West Virginia on Nov. 12 in Morgantown.
Jerry DiPaola is a TribLive reporter covering Pitt athletics since 2011. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in 1993, first as a copy editor and page designer in the sports department and later as the Pittsburgh Steelers reporter from 1994-2004. He can be reached at jdipaola@triblive.com.
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