Transfer center Dishon Jackson eager to shine for Pitt basketball

Belief is important to athletes because it allows them to be confident in their abilities. That is no exception for Pitt center Dishon Jackson, who believes he can make a big difference for the Panthers basketball team this season.

However, for Jackson to commit to Pitt in the first place, he needed to know Pitt believed in him.

“Pitt was the right option for me because of the simple fact that coach (Jeff) Capel had expressed a belief in me that I pretty much haven’t heard since I went to Charlotte,” Jackson said. “So, high-major school in the ACC. It was pretty much that simple for me.”

Pitt’s away matchups at Stanford and Cal also enticed Jackson to head to Oakland in April as the Panthers’ first commitment from the transfer portal in 2025. Jackson’s hometown of Vallejo, Calif., is within 50 miles of those colleges.

“Dishon is an aggressive and physical post player who moves well and has a good feel for the game on both ends of the floor,” Capel said in a statement after Jackson signed. “He is someone we targeted early in the transfer portal because he consistently plays with toughness, physicality and a competitive edge. He will be a strong veteran voice on the court and in the locker room.”

The 6-foot-11, 274-pound Jackson transferred to Pitt from Iowa State. Last season, he shot 58% from the field, averaging 8.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks as the Cyclones’ starting center. Jackson is a fifth-year senior and will play out his final season of eligibility with Pitt.

“My game is pretty much catch the ball down low and go to town, draw a double team, kick it out to an open shooter, make plays with the ball in my hand in the post or in the short (corner), the mid-post area,” Jackson said. “So I’m just looking to continue what I do best and show it at a much higher level.”

Having practiced with other Pitt forwards, Jackson thinks the skills and experience he picked up at Iowa State, Charlotte and Washington State will permit him to thrive on both ends of the court.

“I played against pretty much every conference of bigs. I know the ACC bigs are a little different,” Jackson said. “They’re much more footwork-oriented, not as much power. Like, the Big 12 had a lot of power bigs. The ACC has a lot of finesse bigs, from what I’ve seen.”

He also thinks doing the little things right will be important for him to effectively contribute to the Pitt offense.

While learning Capel’s new offense, Jackson has developed a nice bond with senior forward Cam Corhen, who has helped him learn how to get the most out of Capel’s coaching, welcomed him to Pittsburgh and shown him around the city.

“Me and Cam will definitely be on the floor together. Papa (Kante) has been dealing with some stuff, so I haven’t been on the floor with him as much, but I could definitely see myself being on the floor with both of them. I’m definitely able to provide some things that they may struggle with, and they’re definitely capable of providing some things that I may struggle with,” Jackson said.

“We’re definitely looking to make our lineups pretty big this year. We have a decent-sized team this year, so I think that it’s going to be very important that me and Cam especially learn how to play together this year for sure.”

Sophomore guard Nojus Indrusaitis, Jackson’s teammate at Iowa State, followed him to Oakland three days after he committed to Pitt. He also has made the transition easier.

“That’s been a great experience because he knows what it takes. He knows how to push me, push my buttons when he sees I’m slacking,” Jackson said. “I might know how to get him going when I see he’s slacking. Just being in the locker room with him, being on trips with him, knowing the stuff that I know about him, it’s really good. … So it helps a lot.”

With it being late July and a few months before the season tips off, Jackson knows the team must get to work. In his mind, Pitt’s effort, desire and togetherness will help determine if the Panthers can return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2023.

“If there’s something that (Iowa State coach) T.J. Otzelberger taught me, it’s how to work hard every day,” Jackson said. “… I know Nojus knows as well. He knows how hard we worked last year. He knows how hard it is to make it to the tournament and be good in the tournament, and we know we got a long journey ahead.

“Nothing is going to be given to us. You know, we’re going to be a pretty underrated team, and it’s because last year they may not have done so hot, but I know that it’s easier going out when you don’t have a target on your back than when you do.”

Note: CBS Sports reported earlier this week that Villanova and Pitt men’s basketball will start a home-and-home series this season at Villanova. The teams will play at Pitt in 2026-27.