Pitt Men's Basketball Picks Up Highly Ranked Recruit for 2023

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Graphic obtained from Marlon Barnes' Twitter account: @marlonbarnesjr


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With Pitt’s basketball program achieving their first ACC win of the season over the weekend, along with the thrilling Pittsburgh Steeler win over the Baltimore Ravens, there was some big Pitt news that got lost in the shuffle.  Marlon Barnes, a 6’6” shooting guard, announced on Twitter, yesterday, that he would be committing to the Panthers as a member of the Class of 2023. 

Barnes is currently ranked as a 4-star recruit, hailing from Lyndhurst, Ohio.  He attends Brush High School, which is the same high school where current Pitt superstar, John Hugley, attended.  One would have to believe seeing Hugley’s success Saturday displayed on such a grand level has to have something to do with the commitment coming now. 

It can’t be a coincidence that shortly after the Brush High School alum put up 32 points and 13 rebounds against Boston College, Barnes' commitment is announced.  As we’ve seen with the Pitt football program, winning and success can be contagious, and certainly attracts other big name players. 

Barnes is ranked by Rivals.com as a 4-star recruit and the No. 79 prospect in the Class of 2023, but 247 Sports has him ranked at No. 136, and only a 3-star.  Regardless, it is a great pick up by Jeff Capel who actually has yet to land a recruit from the 2022 class graduating here in the spring.  Overall, it was a fantastic weekend for the Pitt Basketball program.