Position Overview: Small Forward

The small forward position will be looking different this year with leading scorer Jamel Artis taking control of the starting spot. For the majority of last season Dixon employed a small-ball type lineup, which is why Artis was the power forward. Sheldon Jeter, Chris Jones, and Cameron Wright were the ones at the small forward spot. Pitt will be back to basics for 2015 no longer relying so heavily on small lineups. Here are the players Dixon will count on at small forward throughout this season.

 

Jamel Artis- Junior Ht. 6-7 Wt. 220

2014-15 Stats- 13.6 PTS, 6.0 REBS, 2.3 AST, 46.9 FG%, 79.5 FT%, and 39.4 3P%

 

In his sophomore season Artis blossomed into Dixon’s go to scoring option. Artis was able to effectively score without becoming a volume scorer, which shows he knows how to take good shots. Now into his junior year it should be expected that he will become not only an All-ACC player, but also an ACC player of the year candidate. The knock on him throughout most of last year was on the defensive end. However, he was playing out of position at power forward. Now that he will be guarding guys who are much closer to him in size in turn helping him become a better defender. Last year was just the beginning for Artis.

 

Sheldon Jeter- Junior Ht. 6’7 Wt. 215

2014-15 Stats- 4.7 PTS, 2.5 REBS, .5 AST, 47.5 FG%, 61.5 FT%, and 37.0 3P%

 

Jeter started last year buried on the depths of the bench after transferring in from Vanderbilt. The Beaver Falls product did start to gain Dixon’s trust the more the season went on. Jeter provides the type of pure athleticism that might even be the best on the team. This season Jeter will provide a valuable spark off the bench. He is not an amazing shooter or scorer, but expect for his offensive numbers to climb. Dixon will be able to use Jeter in a lot of different positions and that type of versatility is invaluable in a tough ACC. One area that is an obvious concern for him is the same as with many other Panthers, free throw percentage. Low 60’s cannot cut it for a team that wants to make to the NCAA tournament. If Jeter can improve at the line his minutes might climb.

 

Cameron Johnson- Sophmore Ht. 6’7, Wt. 185

2014-15 Stats- 4.5 PTS, 1.1 REBS, 39.4 FG%, and 34.8 3P%

 

Johnson has been put into several different position groupings, because it is not known where he truly fits in yet. He has some guard skills and the body frame of a forward. Of course the problem with him at forward is that his slender build will make it extremely difficult for him to guard opposing small forwards game in and game out. However, his shooting could see him get valuable minutes at the small forward spot.

 

Ryan Luther- Ht. 6’9 Wt. 215

2014-15 Stats- 1.9 PTS, 1.0 REBS, 51.4 FG%, 42.9 FT%, and 45.5 3P%

 

Dixon used Luther primarily as an off the bench floor stretcher last year. Expect that to be much of the case again this season. Luther has a good body frame, but he lacks to necessary speed, quickness, and defensive presence to consistently get minutes for Pitt. Luther will probably play most of his time at power forward anyway, but he could be brought in every now and again at small forward.