Prized recruit Beejay Anya reportedly crosses Pitt off his list

Just last month, four-star basketball recruit Beejay Anya was in the midst of setting up a potential visit to Pitt. Now, though, Anya has apparently cooled on the Panthers to the point where he's no longer considering them:

Indiana just landed a commitment from Oak Hill (Va.) small forward Troy Williams and remains in the hunt for both Vonleh and DeMatha Catholic big man Beejay Anya, who told SNY.tv Monday he is down to the Hoosiers and N.C. State.

Looking for a change of heart? Anya says it's possible ... but don't hold your breath:

"As of right now," he told SNY.tv by phone Monday morning. "That might change, but I doubt it."

If it sticks, the decision is no doubt a bit disappointing for Jamie Dixon and Pitt. The team's current centers include Steven Adams, Dante Taylor, and Malcolm Gilbert.

Taylor will be moving on after this season and depending on what Adams does this season, he could be gone after this year as well. That would leave Gilbert as the only center on the roster next season and really put Pitt in a bit of a bind if he's slow to develop. Even if he pans out, the Panthers would be in bad shape if they don't have an adequate backup. If Adams does in fact leave, Pitt may be forced to play Zanna, or even 6'8" 2013 recruit Mike Young, at the 5. A scholarship would open up if Adams leaves, and it's hard to imagine Pitt won't go after a center if that's the case.

They could also go the JUCO route or pick up a transfer. But the point is, Pitt could be scrambling a bit.

The loss of Khem Birch might be the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about the team's current state. But he likely was a one- or two-year player and the program would still need another big man to come in behind him. Regardless, Pitt's recruiting priority is pretty clear right now - the team desperately needs a center.

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