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Can you hear me now? How about now? What about now?
Now?
That's sort of what this feels like. With any slight bump in the road, fans want to know if 2016 four-star recruit Mustapha Heron is still coming to the Panthers' basketball team. That's probably increased a little ever since Maverick Rowan decommitted from the program.
Pitt's ACC Tournament appearance ended quickly with an opening-game loss to North Carolina State on Wednesday. But an important part of the Panthers' future remains steadfast in saying that he remains committed to the program.
Heron said recently that he is still going to join the Panthers:
Anything is possible, but Heron said emphatically Tuesday, again, that Pitt is his choice.
...
"No, I am still committed to Pitt," Heron said. Kentucky, he said, was always in the picture, not just since Rohrssen arrived there.
Obviously that's good to hear. The linked article mentions that Kentucky was sent a schedule to his games but their coaches haven't yet showed up. That, of course, begs the question that if he were fully committed to Pitt why the school would be trying to continue to showcase him to other programs. You wonder if they did come and offered him a scholarship (for the record, Rivals says they have not) if that would change things.
It's all in the best interest of Heron, of course. The school has a responsibility to do as much as they can for him. But we're still a long way off from Heron signing so the speculation isn't going to die down anytime soon.
For now, the only thing to do is take him at his word and hope that he follows through. Teaming up with 2014 point guard Damon Wilson could give the Panthers a dangerous backcourt combo. And with the team's strength in forwards Mike Young (who can hopefully get back to power forward) and Jamel Artis, Pitt could have the makings of something special by the time he gets here.
Be sure to join Cardiac Hill's Facebook page and follow us on Twitter @PittPantherBlog for our regular updates on Pitt athletics. Follow the author and founder/editor @AnsonWhaley.
