Josh Newkirk Expected to Transfer to Another Division I School

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The point guard position got a little thinner today with the announcement that junior guard Josh Newkirk would not be returning to campus for this season. His offseason has not been an easy one starting on May 6th with a micro fracture surgery on his left knee. Newkirk decided he would prefer to continue rehabbing at home and is expected to transfer to another division one school.

Newkirk is not the only Pitt guard to undergo surgery this off-season, as both James Robinson and Sterling Smith had surgeries back in June. Those two are expected to make full recoveries and be ready by the time the season starts. However, the question becomes with Newkirk gone who fills in the back-up point guard role?

Last season Newkirk averaged 5.9 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in just over 20 minutes a game. Damon Wilson Jr., the 79th rated recruit in the country, might be tasked with the replacement job. At 6’5 he might be bigger than the prototypical point guard, but make no mistake he has great athleticism and passing ability. Other than him though not many other players on the roster have a point guard skill set. James Robinson could be tasked with big minutes early on until a replacement can be figured out.

What Pitt will miss most from Newkirk is the offensive spark he provided off the bench. Hopefully a guy like Smith or Jeter can come in this season and provide the type of offensive playmaking skills that make a guy like Newkirk so valuable.

This injury is certainly not a back breaker by any means, but it will be an interesting storyline for at least the rest of the offseason.