Pitt walk-on Anthony Starzynski enjoys his spotlight moment
Anthony Starzynski won four letters at Baldwin, scoring an average of 10, 15 and 21 points during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons.
But in three seasons as a walk-on at Pitt, he’s played 41 minutes in bits of 17 games, scoring five baskets (all 3-pointers).
And he’s OK with it.
On Wednesday night before a crowd of 9,001 at Petersen Events Center, he was in the starting lineup as coach Jeff Capel’s way of honoring the four players, including Starzynski, Samson George, Eric Hamilton and Kene Chukwuka, who will leave the program after the season.
During the 72-49 loss to Syracuse, Starzynski, George and Hamilton played the first one minute, 14 seconds. Starzynski re-entered the game in the second half and hit a 3-pointer almost immediately.
“That roar in the crowd behind me was pretty surreal when it went through (the net),” he said.
Starzynski said he has had no problem with his lack of playing time as a non-scholarship player.
“I like being around the game,” he said. “It’s (not) disappointing to not get minutes. I like being around these guys. I like being around really good players to base my game off of.
“It’s just been an awesome experience. It’s been a whirlwind these past three years, playing at this level.”
Capel said he’s grateful for the effort those players have given his program. Chukwuka started 30 games in his career before missing this season with a hip injury. Hamilton, a graduate transfer in his first and only season at Pitt, remains a part of the rotation at forward.
Speaking of Starzynski and George, he said, “Those guys have been through a lot here, and I’m appreciative to them for sticking it out.
“They could have easily left, chose to do something else. Anthony could have chosen not to play, just to be a regular student.
“After going through a season like they did, 0-18 (last season), a coaching change, those guys have had good attitudes. They’ve shown up to work every day. They’ve been really good teammates.”
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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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