Kevin Stallings and the Pittsburgh Panthers made news this week on the recruiting trail by offering scholarships to a pair of shooting guards. Those two were Naji Marshall and David Beatty.
Last season the majority of the starts at shooting guard were by Sterling Smith, who has since graduated. Smith averaged 4.5 points per game and shot 40 percent from three.
However, Chris Jones was the primary starter down the end stretch of the season and he will return for his senior year.
Jones was slightly more effective scorer, averaging 6.1 points per game, but did shoot a dismal 28.8 percent from beyond the arc. Also, he was counted on as a solid perimeter defender for much of the season.
Since Jones will graduate following the 2016-17 season, it leaves the Panthers with a hole to fill at the shooting guard spot. These two offers were made to avoid being left empty handed.
Naji Marshall is ranked as a four star recruit by Rivals and has also received offers from VCU, UMass, Virginia Tech, Rutgers, Towson, UCF, Xavier, Temple, and Cincinnati. He has good size and build, measuring in at 6’5 and 200 pounds, plus his playmaking ability would be much needed.
David Beatty also could be a great addition to the Panther’s roster, with his creative scoring ability. ESPN ranks him as three star recruit, while measuring in at 6’5 185 pounds. He also has offers from Indiana, Iona, Kansas State, La Salle, Memphis, Miami (FL), Penn State, Saint Joseph’s, and VCU.
Both of these players would be welcome additions at the shooting guard position, and not only because Pitt is in desperate need of depth there. Each one could provide a playmaking skillset that has been missing in recent years.