'Tough love': Pitt transfer guard Damarco Minor steps up as leader for Jeff Capel's retooled squad

When Jeff Capel brought in Damarco Minor from the transfer portal, he knew he was getting an experienced hand who could help run Pitt’s offense following Jaland Lowe’s offseason transfer to Kentucky.

Minor, who arrived at Pitt from Oregon State and previously played two seasons for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, looked good in the Panthers’ first exhibition Oct. 19 vs. Providence, dropping a team-high 15 points.

While Capel will continue to look to Minor for regular offensive contributions, the fifth-year senior has also shown early leadership capabilities on a team that experienced major roster turnover from a season ago.

“He’s learning his team and each personality, which I think is one of the primary keys for a really good point guard,” Capel said. “You have to understand who it is that you’re leading, what makes them tick and what buttons to push. The only way you can learn that is through relationships.”

The 6-foot Minor, who will play in career game No. 100 when Pitt opens the season Nov. 3 against Youngstown State, admitted that his leadership style can be intense.

“I grew up with tough love,” Minor said. “Certain things I say come off as aggressive, but it’s from the heart. But some people might shell up. So it’s understanding everybody’s background, who they are, where they come from and knowing the things that get them going.

“I’m still growing and still knowing everybody, getting to know the things (make them tick) without screaming at them or cursing them out.”

Capel also revealed that Minor is capable of absorbing the same “tough love” he dishes out.

“Everyone can’t handle that,” Capel said. “One of the great things is he can handle it. You can say whatever you need to say to him and he’s able to take whatever message that I or we as a coaching staff give back to the team.”

Minor’s new teammates are a diverse bunch.

Capel’s other players from the transfer portal ranks include senior Barry Dunning Jr. and sophomore Nojus Indrusaitis.

Cam Corhen is Capel’s lone returning starter from a year ago, while guard Brandin Cummings and sophomore forwards Amdy Ndiaye and Papa Amadou Kante are also back.

Minor has also been making the acquaintance of the Panthers’ preps additions, highlighted by Australian forward Roman Siulepa.

With Pitt still to play one exhibition game (Monday at Petersen Events Center vs. Pitt-Johnstown), Minor, who goes by the nickname “Polo,” continues to get a feel for his teammates.

“I’m just trying to absorb everything and understand what relationships I’ve got with certain guys, how to talk with certain guys – I’m still figuring out and trying to lead the right way,” Minor said. “That’s different for certain guys.”

Capel can relate directly to Minor’s process as a coach in tailoring his approach based on a variety of factors.

“To be able to get the best out of someone, you have to know them,” Capel said. “You have to care about them and they have to know that there’s something there besides what they can do on the court. Can they make a shot, can they get a rebound, can they run a play right? There has to be something deeper there.

“‘Polo’ understands that at a really, really high level. It’s very, very rare and so it’s been really cool getting to know him on a deeper level and then watching him figure this out and understand his teammates. The fact that he wants to do it is unbelievable and it shows how much he really cares.”

For the last three seasons, Minor has averaged north of 30 minutes per game.

With the Beavers last year, he averaged 9.8 points, a career-best 5.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game after making the jump from the Ohio Valley Conference.

How Minor’s statistics will translate to the ACC remains to be seen, but scoring 15 (along with three rebounds and assists) in a scrimmage vs. Providence, a team picked to finish fourth in the Big East this season, was encouraging.

As Capel continues to discern exactly what he got in Minor, the latter’s leadership qualities have been welcomed.

“He is one of the leaders of the team, there’s no doubt,” Capel said.