Pitt commit Gerald Drumgoole shows off versatility at GEICO Nationals

Pitt commit Gerald Drumgoole took part in the GEICO Nationals with La Lumiere between Thursday and Saturday, and his three-point shooting was prominently displayed during the Lakers' three-game run. However, aspects of his game that are often glossed over, such as his rebounding and play-making ability, were also showcased in the tournament.

In his team's 74-69 win over Bishop Gorman on Thursday, Drumgoole struggled to score, going 2-for-8 from the field and scoring just five points. However, he compensated by leading his team with four assists and 10 rebounds, and that was enough to help the Lakers knock off the Gaels in the quarterfinals.

The small forward looked more like himself in the semifinal round on Friday. In that high-profile matchup with Oak Hill, he improved his shooting and went 3-for-6 from three-point range. Ultimately, he finished with 12 points, three rebounds and one assist in a matchup that pitted him against former Pitt targets Cole Anthony, Christian Brown and Kofi Cockburn, and the Lakers topped the Warriors 58-57.

Drumgoole saved his best showing for Saturday’s national championship, though, as he contributed 12 points, four rebounds and two assists in the matchup with IMG. He also put on his best shooting performance of the tournament, as he went 3-for-5 from distance and made three of his four free throws. Unfortunately for Drumgoole, his contributions were not enough to power La Lumiere past IMG, as the Lakers fell to the Ascenders 66-55 for their first loss of the year.

With the loss, La Lumiere fell to 29-1 on the season and Drumgoole’s high school athletic career — which began in Rochester, New York, and previously involved a stint as a three-star tight end — came to an end. However, it brought him closer to the start of his college career at Pitt, where the Panthers will likely rely on him to replace the three-point shooting of departed guard Jared Wilson-Frame.

During his time on the Prep Circuit with La Lumiere this season, Drumgoole averaged 12.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game while making 50.0 percent of his three-point attempts. Those numbers compare favorably to Wilson-Frame’s senior-year stats, as he averaged 12.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game while shooting 39.5 percent from deep in his final season at Pitt.

Drumgoole’s Prep Circuit stats also illustrate his adaptability, as he was a leading scorer at Irondequoit High School in Rochester but took on a smaller role alongside stars like Isaiah Stewart and Keion Brooks at La Lumiere. That will be a vital quality at Pitt, as the program will undergo significant change over the next year or two as Jeff Capel continues to build.