Pitt's Au'Diese Toney says he's staying with Panthers

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Pitt's Au'Diese Toney says he's staying with Panthers

Jerry DiPaola | Saturday, March 28, 2020 4:00 p.m.

Pittsburgh’s Au’Diese Toney, left, defends as Virginia’s Kihei Clark shoots during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

After two Pitt guards revealed plans to transfer, junior-to-be Au’Diese Toney announced Saturday on Twitter he is staying.

“You never forget those who believed in your first,” Toney wrote.

You never forget those who believed in you first and you never abandon those who held you down while experiencing your worst. Coach Capel and The Zoo thank you for accepting me at my best and my worst ....Let’s finish the job #ZooEraContinues pic.twitter.com/4S1FV5OLfm

— A.M.T (@thefuturetoney) March 28, 2020

Toney was one of the first three players to commit to coach Jeff Capel soon after he was hired in 2018. The other two — guards Xavier Johnson and Trey McGowens — will take opposite routes. Johnson has said he is staying, but McGowens will transfer.

Guard Ryan Murphy also is leaving after one season with the Panthers.

Toney has been one of Capel’s best defenders, often getting the assignment of guarding the opponent’s top scorer. At 6-foot-6, he has 60 steals and seven blocks in two seasons.

He picked up his offensive game during the 2019-20 season, shooting 46.1% from the field, best among Pitt players averaging at least 30 minutes. Toney, who averaged 9.5 points (fourth on the team) and 4.8 rebounds (second), scored a career-high 27 points Jan. 28 at Duke.

In two seasons, Toney has appeared in 63 of Pitt’s 66 games, with 53 starts.

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